Erythrocyte 2,3 diphosphoglycerate in normal and hypertensive gravid women and their newborn infants

Red blood cell 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (2,3 DPG) levels were studied in 227 normal gravid women in all stages of pregnancy, active labor, and early post partum. An increase to peak levels was observed at 19 to 22 weeks followed by a gradual fall toward normal. During labor and early post partum, 2,3 DPG again rose significantly above levels observed at term. Serial 2,3 DPG values through the third trimester, labor, and postpartum period in 11 hypertensive mothers and 20 normal gravid control subjects and their newborn infants were studied. Maternal 2,3 DPG levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive mothers when compared to control mothers at similar gestational stages. However, no difference in 2,3 DPG levels was observed when newborn infants of hypertensive mothers were compared with those of normal control subjects.