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PRE-ECLAMPSIA AND CALCIUM: ANY CORRELATION IN OUR LOCALITY?
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality world- wide and especially in the developing countries. Strategies to reduce the risk of pre- eclampsia continue to stimulate worldwide interest. Calcium supplementation has been suggested to reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia. However, studies on the relationship of calcium and pre-eclampsia from developing countries have been scanty.
This case –controlled study sort to determine and compare the serum calcium levels in normal pregnant patients and in pre-eclamptic patients in Benin-city.
Eighty-two patients were recruited, made up of 41 cases and 41 controls. The pre- eclamptics had a lower mean serum calcium level of 1.76 ± 0.43 mM/L, while the mean serum calcium level of the normotensives was 1.91± 0.31 mM/L. The observed difference was statistically significant p<0.05. Furthermore, the serum calcium level of the normotensives pregnant women in Benin was found to be lower compared to that of pregnant women reported in the literature.
The association of a lower serum calcium level and pre-eclampsia in this study could suggest a possible beneficial effect of calcium supplementation during pregnancy in our environment.
