Serum Calcium and Magnesium Level in Pre-Eclamptic and Normotensive Pregnant Women: A Comparative study in a Tertiary care Hospital in West Bengal, India

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), particularly pre-eclampsia, remain a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Alterations in serum calcium and magnesium levels have been implicated in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia, yet their role remains incompletely understood.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess and compare the serum calcium and magnesium levels in pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women to elucidate their association with pre-eclampsia.

Methods: A hospital-based observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 pregnant women (50 pre-eclamptic and 50 normotensive) attending the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, between January 2023 and May 2024. Serum calcium and magnesium concentrations were estimated using standard colorimetric and photometric methods. Sociodemographic and clinical parameters were analyzed, and statistical comparisons were made using SPSS version 22, with p-values <0.05 considered significant.

Results: The two groups were comparable in age, gravida, socioeconomic class, and booking status. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in the pre-eclamptic group (174.4 ± 22.1 mmHg and 107.2 ± 11.2 mmHg, respectively) compared to the normotensive group (119.9 ± 6.6 mmHg and 71.9 ± 7.4 mmHg) (p<0.001). Serum calcium levels were significantly lower in pre-eclamptic women (8.1 ± 0.9 mg/dL) than in normotensive women (10.3 ± 0.8 mg/dL) (p<0.001), while serum magnesium levels were significantly higher in pre-eclamptic women (4.1 ± 1.1 mg/dL vs. 2.6 ± 0.9 mg/dL; p=0.016).

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a significant alteration in serum calcium and magnesium levels among pre-eclamptic women, suggesting their involvement in the disease’s pathophysiology. Hypocalcemia and elevated magnesium may serve as potential biochemical markers for identifying women at risk of developing pre-eclampsia and for improving maternal care strategies.