ON THE SODIUM, POTASSIUM AND CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS OF SALIVA IN PREGNANCY AND IN TOXAEMIA OF LATE PREGNANCY

Abstract

The Na, K and Cl concentrations in saliva before and after injection of 0.1 mg pilocarpine/kg body weight were studied in 11 normal pregnant women and in 13 cases of mild and 17 cases of severe pre-eclampsia. The Na concentration was lower in severe pre-eclampsia than in normal pregnancies. The Na content rose in pilocarpine-stimulated saliva in all groups without an observable difference between the groups. There was no difference in K concentrations between the groups before and after pilocarpine. There was a slight drop in K concentration in all groups after pilocarpine injection. The Cl content was invariant. The changes observed in Na concentrations indicated increased production of salt-regulating hormone by the adrenal cortex during pregnancy and especially in severe forms of toxemia.