A Comparative Study of Serum Calcium Levels between Pre-eclamptic and Normotensive Singleton Pregnancies in Federal Medical Centre, Owerri

Aim: To compare the serum level of calcium between pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women carrying single foetuses.

Study Design: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Maternity unit), Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo state, from 1st November 2013 to 30th April 2014.

Methodology: One hundred and sixty women carrying singleton pregnancies were consecutively enrolled in this study (80 women with pre-eclampsia and 80 women without pre-eclampsia at a similar gestation were the control). Serum calcium concentration was estimated. The data were analysed using the SPSS software for Windows version 17.0, and the age, parity, gestational age, weight and serum calcium levels of subjects from both groups were compared using the analysis of variance. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean serum calcium level was significantly lower in pre-eclamptic women compared with the mean serum calcium level for normotensive women [7.20± 0.92 mg/dl vs 8.99±0.88 mg/dl respectively with P< .001]. Also, serum calcium showed significant negative correlation with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (r –0.684, r -0.633 respectively, with both having P< .001). There was no statistical difference between the socio-demographic characteristics of both groups of pregnant women.

Conclusion: This study concludes that serum calcium was significantly lower among pre-eclamptic than normotensive pregnant women. However, the actual role of calcium supplements needs further investigation.