title: Serum calcium and magnesium levels in women presenting with pre-eclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension: a case-control study in the Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are important causes of morbidity and mortality. The levels of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) in pregnancy may implicate their possible role in pregnancy-induced hypertension. This study assessed serum Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels in women with PIH (pregnancy-induced hypertension) and PE (pre-eclampsia), compared to that in normal pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case-control study was conducted on 380 pregnant women (≥20 weeks gestation) receiving antenatal care at three hospitals in the Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana. This comprised 120 women with PIH, 100 women with PE and 160 healthy, age-matched pregnant women (controls). Demographic, anthropometric, clinical and obstetric data were gathered using an interview-based questionnaire. Venous blood samples were drawn for the estimation of calcium and magnesium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significantly raised in women with PIH (p < 0.0001) and PE (p < 0.0001). Women with hypertensive disorders (PE and PIH) had significantly lower serum calcium and magnesium levels than those in the control group (p < 0.0001 each). Of those with PIH, SBP correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.575, p < 0.01) and Ca2+ correlated positively with Mg2+ (r = 0.494, p < 0.01). This was similar amongst the PE group for SBP and BMI as well as for Ca2+and Mg2+ but was not significant. Multivariate analysis showed that women aged ≥40 years were at a significant risk of developing PIH (OR = 2.14, p = 0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study population, serum calcium and magnesium levels are lower in PIH and PE than in normal pregnancy. Mineral supplementation during the antenatal period may influence significantly, the occurrence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
authors.forename: Richard Kobina Dadzie
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ephraim
authors.forename: Derick Nii Mensah
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Osakunor
authors.forename: Seth Wiredu
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Denkyira
authors.forename: Henrietta
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eshun
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amoah
authors.forename: Enoch Odame
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Anto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006801:Humans; D053565:Hypercalciuria / Q000097:blood; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000097:blood*; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000097:blood; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009397:Nephrocalcinosis / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015499:Renal Tubular Transport, Inborn Errors / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium