Sodium balance in pregnancy?

Sodium balance in pregnancy?

• A. Increases from 20,000 to 30,000 mEq per day
• B. Decreases to 5,000 mEq per day
• C. Remains at 20,000 mEq per day
• D. Increases to 60,000 mEq per day

Answer: (A)

In pregnancy, the body expands the extracellular fluid and plasma volume to support the fetus, placenta, and amniotic fluid. To maintain this larger circulating volume and proper osmolality, the kidneys adapt by increasing sodium reabsorption, and hormonal changes (like raised renin–angiotensin–aldosterone activity) promote sodium retention. As a result, daily sodium balance rises from about 20,000 mEq in nonpregnant states to roughly 30,000 mEq during pregnancy. The other options don’t fit this physiology: sodium balance isn’t decreased to 5,000, nor kept at 20,000, and it isn’t as high as 60,000 mEq per day in normal pregnancy.

In pregnancy, the body expands the extracellular fluid and plasma volume to support the fetus, placenta, and amniotic fluid. To maintain this larger circulating volume and proper osmolality, the kidneys adapt by increasing sodium reabsorption, and hormonal changes (like raised renin–angiotensin–aldosterone activity) promote sodium retention. As a result, daily sodium balance rises from about 20,000 mEq in nonpregnant states to roughly 30,000 mEq during pregnancy. The other options don’t fit this physiology: sodium balance isn’t decreased to 5,000, nor kept at 20,000, and it isn’t as high as 60,000 mEq per day in normal pregnancy.