Comparison of serum calcium, serum magnesium, serum sodium and serum potassium in patients of preeclampsia and normal pregnant women-a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia is a clinical condition in which the patient is suffering from hypertension and proteinuria, which may be associated with pathological edema. There are multiple systems involved in pre-eclampsia which is the main culprit to complicate the pregnancy. In developing nations, approximately 4–18% of pregnancies are complicated by preeclampsia which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. It does not affect pregnant females only, but may be life-threatening for growing fetuses too. If we consider the mortality in all pregnant females, about 10–15% of maternal deaths are due to pre-eclampsia. Aims and Objectives: The main objective of this study is to compare the serum calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium level in preeclampsia patients and normal pregnant women. Materials and Methods: After taking written consent from the patients, randomly 50 pregnant females diagnosed by a gynecologist as suffering from preeclampsia were selected and for the control group 50 pregnant females who came for routine checkups were selected. 5 ml of blood was collected in the clot activator tube. The samples were analyzed for serum calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium on a fully automated biochemistry analyzer ”Erba XL 640” in HiTech, clinical biochemistry laboratory, B.J medical college, Ahmedabad. Results: The result showed a decreased level of serum calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium in the study group compared to the control group. The S. calcium level was (7.624 ± 0.84) and (8.52 ± 0.80) mg/dl in the study and control groups respectively. The S. magnesium level in the study and control were (1.47 ± 0.25) and (1.79 ± 0.18) mg/dl, respectively. S. sodium levels were (131.46 ± 6.96) and (139.92±7.86) mEq/L in the study and control groups, respectively. And the level of S. potassium in the study and control groups was (3.39 ± 0.52) and (3.67 ± 0.38) mEq/L, respectively. All the parameter values are significantly lower in a study group in comparison to control group patients (P < 0.001). Conclusion: From our study, we have concluded that the serum level of some parameters such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium was significantly decreased in patients suffering from preeclampsia. We can also conclude that these parameters can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of preeclampsia.