A Study of the Fluid Intake, Hydration Status, and Health Effects among Pregnant Women in Their Second Trimester in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The fluid intake and hydration status during pregnancy may influence the health outcomes of both the mother and the fetus. However, there are few studies related to this. The aim of the present study was to investigate fluid intake behaviors among pregnant women in their second trimester, to evaluate their hydration status and pregnancy complications, and to further explore the association of fluid intake and the amniotic fluid index (AFI). Participants' total fluid intake (TFI) levels were determined using a 7-day 24 h fluid intake questionnaire. The levels of water intake from food were not recorded or measured. Morning urine samples were collected, and both urine osmolality levels and urine specific gravity (USG) were tested to evaluate their hydration status. Fasting blood samples were also collected and measured for osmolality and complete blood count (CBC). A total of 324 participants completed the study. They were divided into four groups based on quartiles of TFI, including participants with lower (LFI₁ and LFI₂) and higher (HFI₁ and HFI₂) fluid intake levels. The median TFI was 1485 mL, and the median values of the four groups with different TFI levels were 1348, 1449, 1530, and 1609 mL, respectively. Only 3.4% of the participants attained the recommended value following an adequate water intake (1.7 L) level for pregnant women in China. Plain water was the main TFI resource (78.8~100.00%), and differences in the plain water intake levels among the four groups were evident (χ² = 222.027, p < 0.05). The urine osmolality decreased sequentially with increasing TFI values from the LFI₁ to HFI₂ group, and significant differences in the urine osmolality levels among the four groups were evident (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the percentage of dehydrated participants decreased from 26.8% in the LFI₁ group to 0.0% in the HFI₂ group (χ² = 131.241, p < 0.05). Participants with higher TFI values had higher AFI values (χ² = 58.386, all p < 0.05), and moderate-intensity correlations were found between TFI and urine osmolality, hydration status, and AFI (all p < 0.05). A large proportion of the participants had insufficient TFIs during the second trimester of pregnancy, and a proportion of the participants were dehydrated. The preliminary analysis showed that the AFI was correlated with the TFI during the second trimester of pregnancy. A sufficient TFI is necessary for pregnant women to improve their hydration status and may have effects on their health. The results can provide appropriate scientific references for the development of beneficial recommendations concerning adequate water intake levels for pregnant women in China.

Keywords: amniotic fluid index; fluid intake; health effects; hydration status; pregnancy.