Serum Calcium and Magnesium levels in Pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a disorder of pregnancy characterised by hypertension with proteinuria after 20 weeks of pregnancy in previously normotensive and non-proteinuric patients which may progress to seizures (eclampsia) and maternal and foetal death if emergency delivery is not performed. Environmental and nutritional factors may play a role in the aetiology of pre-eclampsia. Pregnant women in the developing countries consume diets with lesser amounts of essential minerals and vitamins. Among all, there exists an alteration in Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) metabolism during pregnancy which could be a potential factor causing pre-eclampsia. Aim: The present study was conducted to assess, compare and correlate serum total Ca, Mg and uric acid level in preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This is a hospital based comparative cross-sectional study which was conducted from March 2016 to February 2017. Serum Ca, Mg and uric acid as estimated by Cobas c311 Auto analyser. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21.0. Results: Mean Serum Ca and Mg was significantly lower in PE compared to normotensive pregnant women (8.69±1.59 mg/dL and 1.91±0.36 mg/dL versus 10.13±0.66 mg/dL and 2.08±0.12 mg/dL).Serum Uric acid and creatinine was raised in PE compared to the control women respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrates lower levels of serum total Ca and Mg in pre-eclampsia compared to normal pregnancy. Serum total Ca level was found decreasing with the severity of pre-eclampsia, though the finding was statistically insignificant.

Keywords

• electrolytes
• gestational hypertension
• pregnancy
• uric acid