EVALUATION OF SERUM ELECTROLYTE LEVELS AND NEPHROTIC HEALTH IN YOUNG ADULT FEMALE WITH STRETCH MARK IN A UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Pughikumo D.T.*, Alade T.O., Pughikumo O.C. and Do Well D.

ABSTRACT

Despite the high prevalence of stretch mark also scientifically designated striae distensae amongst Nigeria females, there is still dearth of information regarding its exact relationship with some biochemical indices including electrolyte levels, and organ functions. Therefore this investigation sought to examine serum levels of certain electrolytes and by extension the kidney health if concentrations of these may have link with stretch mark occurrence. Test subjects – people with the mark (twenty-five) and control, those without it (twenty-five) were used for the study. Following standard protocol for collection, assay and analysis of both groups’ blood samples, the result presents with creatinine being significantly increased in test subjects (88.20±15.50) than control (84.44±12.49), and serum quantity of urea was similarly elevated in test (4.66±1.12) than control subjects (4.16±0.85), although not significant statistically; whereas the electrolytes – potassium (K+), sodium (Na+) and bicarbonate (HCO-3) ions were not different significantly in serum quantity amongst both experimental groups. A further investigation is recommended to address the rhetorical inference -could the elevated serum creatinine and urea by predisposition or otherwise have contributed to stretch mark occurrence.

Keywords: Stretch mark, Kidney, Skin, Electrolytes, Urea and Creatinine.