Evaluation of Serum Calcium and Inorganic Phosphate Levels in Pregnant and Lactating Women in Enugu Metropolis

The importance of calcium and inorganic phosphate in pregnancy cannot be overemphasized. Their adequacy or otherwise amongst pregnant and lactating women in Enugu metropolis receiving their routine antenatal supplements was the focus of this study. Two hundred subjects (forty in each trimester; forty lactating and forty controls) were used for this study with informed consent. All subjects were within the age range of 19-40 years. Serum samples were analysed for calcium and inorganic phosphate using titrimetric and colorimetric methods respectively. Our result revealed a steady decrease in calcium from first trimester to lactating period with statistically significant values in second and third trimesters, and lactation (