Comparison of serum calcium and magnesium levels between preeclamptic and normotensive healthy pregnant women

Introduction: Pregnancy-induced hypertension is developed due to pregnancy which is affected after delivery. Assessments of serum levels of calcium and magnesium in normal pregnancy and preeclamptic pregnancy may benefit in recognizing whether changes in the levels of these micronutrients are contributory to the interconnection of preeclampsia. Our study was evaluated role of serum calcium and magnesium in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia patients also was calculated the value of this biomarker as indicators in the etiopathogenesis and assessing the severity of pre-eclampsia in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: This hospital based cross sectional study includes total 100 pregnant women during January 2015 to December 2016. Simple random sampling was done based on inclusion and exclusion criteria at Obstetrics ward of SSKM Hospital, Kolkata. Group I (Control)--includes 50 normotensive healthy pregnant women, Group II (Case)--includes 25 mild pre-eclamptic patients and Group III (Case)--includes 25 severe pre-eclamptic patients. Serum calcium and magnesium levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer with standard methods. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS 20.0.1and Graph Pad Prism version 5. Results and Analysis: Difference of mean age and gestational age in two groups was not statistically significant. Thus age was matched in two groups. Mean BMI was significantly higher in case compare to control (p<0.0001). Mean serum calcium and magnesium level was significantly lower in group-III then group-II. When serum calcium and magnesium were correlated independently with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in preeclampsia patient, a significant negative correlation was obtained. Discussion: In my study shows that both the serum calcium and magnesium are significantly reduced in severe preeclamptic groups as compared to mild preeclamptic and normotensive healthy pregnant woman. Further when serum calcium and magnesium was correlated systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure a significant negative correlation was obtained. Conclusion: These findings support the hypothesis that hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia are possible etiologies of preeclampsia. As the severity of preeclampsia increases more and more reduction in the levels of these electrolytes is seen in the maternal blood. Hence adjuvant supplementation of calcium and magnesium may prevent further progression of preeclampsia.