Evaluation of Serum Calcium, Magnesium, Copper, and Zinc Levels in Women with Pre-eclampsia

Background: Pre-eclampsia along with its complications seems to be one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite numerous studies, the etiology of preeclampsia has not yet been fully elucidated. According to recent studies changes in the level of blood trace elements can be an adverse event in human and animal pregnancy. The present study determines whether maternal serum levels of calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc in patients with preeclampsia are lower than matched control subjects. Methods: Serum calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc levels were measured in 52 women with pre-eclampsia in their third trimester of pregnancy as patients group, and in 52 healthy normotensive pregnant women as control group with similar maternal and gestational ages. All women were primigravida with singleton pregnancy. Data on body mass index (BMI), maternal and gestational ages, serum calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc levels were collected and compared between the two groups. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in body mass index and maternal and gestational ages. Serum calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc levels were 8.97±0.49, versus 8.70±0.58 (P=0.27), 1.90±0.24 versus 1.90±0.26 (P=0.75), 21±2.60 versus 21±2.32 (P=0.47), and 13.07±3.20 versus 12.91±3.01 (P=0.78) for control and patients groups respectively. Conclusion: The mean serum levels of calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc between the two groups were not significantly different. It seems that these trace elements are not involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Iran J Med Sci 2008; 33(4): 231-234.