Comparative study of serum calcium in pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women at Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina

Background: Studies have linked calcium to the aetiopathogenesis and prevention of preeclampsia, however, the precise mechanism involved is unclear therefore this study aimed to determine the relation between serum calcium and preeclampsia among normotensive pregnant women. Methods: The study was a cross-section descriptive design that included 88 pregnant women with singleton fetuses all at gestational ages above 20 weeks. Socio-demographic and obstetric data were obtained using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Urinary protein estimation was detected using the dipstick measurement of clean catch midstream urine specimens and blood samples were collected for serum calcium. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Results: The majority of the participants 20 (45.5%) age range was between 15-44 years and the majority were also primigravida 31 (70.5%). Serum calcium level was significantly low among the study group 1.97±0.49 compared to the control 2.22±0.12. There was a significantly high systolic BP (162.11±18.01) and diastolic (104.88±16.69) among the study group with significant proteinuria. Conclusions: This finding suggested that serum calcium could be used as a marker for preeclampsia and based on the findings of this study, serial measurements of serum calcium among women who are at risk for pre-eclampsia may be used to predict the onset and severity of preeclampsia