Assessment of serum calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc levels in Sudanese pregnant women with pre-eclampsia

Ayman Abdellah¹ and Abdelkarim A. Abdrabo²*

¹Department of Clinical chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al-Neelain University- Sudan

²Department of Clinical chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sudan International University- Sudan

*Corresponding Author E-mail abdrabokarim@hotmail.com   

Accepted 02 December, 2013

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia is the most common medical complication of pregnancy associated with increased maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Its exact etiology is not known, although several evidences indicate that various elements might play an important role in pre-eclampsia. This study was carried out to analyze and to compare the concentration of calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc in the serum of women with pre-eclampsia and in normal pregnant women. seventy five clinically diagnosed patients with pre-eclampsia and 74 normal pregnant controls were enrolled in this study. The serum calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc levels were estimated using spectrophotometer and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean serum levels of calcium, magnesium, were significantly lower in pre-eclamptic pregnant group 7.56±0.82 mg/dl, and 1.75±0.11 mg/dl, respectively when compared with normal pregnant women 8.69±0.34 mg/dl, 1.87±0.11 mg/dl, respectively, P.values <0.05, while serum levels of copper and zinc were insignificantly lower 0.47±0.14 µg/l, and 0.76±0.25 µg/l, when compared with normal group, 0.79±0.14 µg/l, and 1.05±0.23 µg/l, respectively, P.values >0.05. These results indicate that reduction in serum levels of calcium and magnesium, during pregnancy might be possible contributors in etiology of pre-eclampsia.

Keywords: Pre-eclampsia, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc