Salivary electrolyte changes during pregnancy: I. Normal pregnancy

Abstract An analysis of calcium, sodium, and potassium concentrations in separately collected submaxillary and parotid samples in ante- and posipartum women was undertaken. Samples were obtained from 59 women once in varying stages of pregnancy, and, of those third-trimester women, fourteen were sampled 1 to 6 days post partum; and twelve, 6 weeks or more post partum. A lower submaxillary antepartum calcium concentration was found when compared to postpartum calcium concentrations in the same women. No variation in calcium concentration was evident in the parotid secretion ante- or post-partum. Normal submaxillary calcium levels were found within 6 days following delivery. Other changes observed were a decrease in sodium and an increase in potassium concentration during pregnancy in both major salivary secretions which returned to normal levels following the sixth day post partum. Variations in salivary electrolyte response to the endocrine changes in pregnancy suggest that these secretions may be potentially useful in evaluating endocrine changes.