Thesis Abstract

Pregnancy induced hypertensive disorders have become very common medical complication in Nigeria with its attendant morbidity and mortality. The morbidity and mortality may be associated with its possible effect on the kidneys which was studied. Results of the electrolyte changes from this study showed that there was non-significant difference (p>0.05) in sodium ion concentration of subjects with pregnancy induced hypertension in second and third trimesters (groups 4 and 5 respectively) compared with the control groups (groups 1,2,and 3) who are non-hypertensives in first, second and third trimesters respectively. Similarly, the potassium ion (K+) concentration showed non-significant difference (p>0.05) between the groups 4 and 5 and the control groups even though the highest concentration of potassium ion was seen in the group 4 subjects. From the study, chloride ion (Cl-) and bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) were found to have no significant difference (p>0.05) in concentration between groups 4 and 5 and the control groups. From the estimation of urea and creatinine, it was found that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the urea and creatinine concentration between the hypertensives and normotensives in different trimesters however it was found that both urea and creatinine increased in the third trimesters in the hypertensive. The total protein, albumin and globulin level of the subjects in groups 4 and 5 were found to decrease significantly (p<0.05) compared to the control subjects in the corresponding trimesters.

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