Plasma total and ultrafiltrable calcium in normal pregnancy, hypertension in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the ultrafiltrable and total plasma calcium in normal pregnancy and pregnancies complicated with hypertension and pre-eclampsia.


METHODS
Total and ultrafiltrable calcium concentrations were measured in maternal plasma from non-pregnant (35), normal pregnant (35), Pregnancy induced hypertension (35) and pre-eclamptic (20) women. Plasma total calcium level was measured by the o'cresolphthalein method. Ultrafiltrate of plasma was obtained using the Amicon MPS-1 micro-partition device.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the plasma total calcium level between the non- pregnant group and the pregnant group (normal, hypertensive and pre-eclamptic). However there was a significant reduction in the ultrafiltrable (protein free and complexed) calcium level in the pregnant group compared to the non-pregnant group (1.15mmol/L +/- 0.23 Vs 1.25mmol/L +/- 0.13) p<0.05.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of the ultrafiltrable calcium in addition to total calcium assay may be more useful in assessing calcium status in normal and complicated pregnancies.
Oladipo
O O
OO
Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
Afolabi
B B
BB
Okorodudu
A O
AO
D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D014462:Ultrafiltration
D002118:Calcium