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

Background: pre-eclampsia along with its complicationsseems to be one of the major causes of maternal morbidity andmortal ity. despite numerous studies, the etiology of preeclampsiahas not yet been fully elucidated. according to recentstudies changes in the level of blood trace elements canbe an adverse event in human and animal pregnancy. the presentstudy determines whether maternal serum levels of calcium,magnesium, copper, and zinc in patients with preeclampsiaare lower than matched control subjects .methods: serum calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc levelswere measured in 52 women with pre-eclampsia in their thirdtrimester of pregnancy as patients group, and in 52 healthynormotensive pregnant women as control group with similarmaternal and gestational ages. all women were primigravidawith singleton pregnancy. data on body mass index (bmi),maternal and gestational ages, serum calcium , magnesium,copper, and zinc levels were collected and compared betweenthe two groups.results: there were no significant differences between thetwo groups in body mass index and maternal and gestationalages. serum calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc levelswere 8.97±0.49 , versus 8.70±0.58 (p=0.27), 1.90±0.24 versus1.90±0.26 (p=0.75), 21±2.60 versus 21±2.32 (p=0.47), and13.07±3.20 versus 12.91±3.0l (p=0.78) for control and patientsgroups respectively.conclusion: the mean serum levels of calcium, magnesium,copper and zinc between the two groups were not significantlydifferent. it seems that these trace elements are not involved inthe pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.