title: Magnesium concentration in amniotic fluid in the early weeks of the second trimester of pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We analyse magnesium levels in amniotic fluid to establish normal values for the 14th to 18th week of pregnancy and establish critical values that could be useful diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for possible complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-two samples of amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis as well as the corresponding serum samples of pregnant women were analysed. The gestational age (mean ± SD) at which the amniotic fluid sample was obtained was 16.13 ± 1.87 weeks. Magnesium levels were determined by colorimetric assay with chlorophosphonazo-III using the the Cobas c 501 analyser (Roche Diagnostics). Statistical treatment of data was performed using the SPSS program, version 15.0.Results revealed a mean magnesium value of 1.65 ± 0.16 mg/dL in amniotic fluid and 1.97 ± 0.23 mg/dL in serum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It would be interesting to extend the study to a larger number of pregnant women to determine variations in normal magnesium values in the three trimesters of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Bioquímica Clínica, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Padre Arrupe-Edificio de Consultas Externas (3ª planta), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain. sizquierdo@salud.aragon.es.
authors.forename: Julia Pilar
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bocos Terraz
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Izquierdo Álvarez
authors.forename: Jose Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bancalero Flores
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González López
authors.forename: Jesús Fernando
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Escanero Marcén