CALCIUM STATUS OF PRE-ECLAMPSIA / ECLAMPSIA AND NORMOTENSIVE PREGNANT WOMEN AT THE LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL IKEJA

Abstract

CONTEXT: In Nigeria, hypertension and it’s complications are a major contributor to maternal and prenatal morbidity and mortality. Available evidence implicates deficiency of calcium as a possible cause of Hypertension. Studies done in western countries give conflicting reports on plasma calcium levels in preeclamptic / eclamptics compared to normotensive pregnant controls. Hence there is the need to duplicate such study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if there is a statistically significant difference in plasma level of calcium among preeclamptic/eclamptic compared to parity and gestational age matched normotensive controls and to correlate this with blood pressure levels.

DESIGNS: Prospective cross- sectional cohort study
SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University

Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State.

SUBJECTS: Plasma serum calcium level were evaluated in 80 preeclamptic / eclamptic patients and were compared with 80 parity and gestational age matched controls.

RESULTS: Preeclampsia /eclampsia was associated with significant reduction in levels of calcium (P<0.05). However the correlation between the blood pressure and reduction in calcium level was not statistically significant

CONCLUSION; Pre-eclampsia at Lagos State University of Teaching Hospital Nigeria is associated with significant reduction in plasma calcium level similar to some reports from the western world.

CALCIUM STATUS OF PRE-ECLAMPSIA / ECLAMPSIA AND NORMOTENSIVE PREGNANT WOMEN AT THE LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL IKEJA