Comparing Serum and 24-hour Urine Calcium between Preeclamptic and Non-preeclamptic Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Preeclampsia is one of the most important complications of pregnancy which increases maternal morbidity and mortality. Calcium homeostasis disorders may have some roles in vascular hypersensitivity in preeclampsia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare calcium of serum and 24-hour urine between preelamptic and normotensive pregnant patients. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic study including 50 preeclamptic pregnant and 50 normotensive pregnant females attending to gynecologic and obstetrics ward of Imam Khomeini and Razi hospitals of Ahvaz in 2009. Calcium levels of serum and 24-hour urine were compared in the both groups. Then, liver enzymes, platelets, serum creatinine, and 24-hour urine protein were compared among preeclamtic patients. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between serum calcium means in the two groups (p=0.07), though mean of 24-hour urine calcium in preeclamptic patients was significantly lower than that of control group (p=0.0003). In preeclamptic group, the degree of hypocalciuria was related to disordered liver enzymes, serum creatinine greater than 1.2 mg/dl, thrombocytopenia and proteinuria more than 2g/24h. Conclusion: Preeclampsia is associated with hypocalciuria; the more hypocalciuria there exists , the more preeclampsia is observed.

Keywords

• 24-hour Urine Calcium; Preeclampsia; Serum Calcium