Study on comparison of serum levels of calcium, magnesium, and uric acid in mild preeclamptics, severe preeclamptics, and normal pregnant women in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia is pregnancy-specific syndrome and contributes about 15% of maternal mortality and preterm deliveries. Objective: To compare the serum levels of calcium, magnesium, and uric acid in mild preeclamptics, severe preeclamptics, and normal pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Ilorin. The data were collected from 64 normal pregnant women, 64 mild preeclamptic women, and 64 severe preeclamptic women who presented at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UITH between June 2013 and January 2014. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Results: The mean serum calcium concentration in severe preeclamptics and mild preeclamptics was significantly reduced (1.75 ± 0.63 mmol/L and 1.90 ± 0.44 mmol/L vs. 2.28 ± 0.24 mmol/L, P = 0.00) compared with serum calcium concentration in normal pregnant controls. The serum magnesium concentration among severe preeclamptics was also significantly reduced (0.84 ± 0.44 mmol/L versus 1.05 ± 0.28 mmol/L, P = 0.00) compared with serum magnesium among normal pregnant controls. However, there was no statistically significant difference in serum magnesium concentration between mild preeclamptic women and normal pregnant women (1.01 ± 0.26 mmol/L vs. 1.05 ± 0.28 mmol/L). The serum uric acid concentration was significantly elevated among both mild and severe preeclamptic women compared with the serum uric acid concentration among normal pregnant control (0.89 ± 0.63 mmol/L and 1.25 ± 0.68 mmo/L vs. 0.21 ± 0.19 mmol/L). Conclusions: It is concluded that while reduced serum calcium levels and elevated serum uric acid levels correlate with etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia, reduced serum magnesium correlates with severity of preeclampsia.