Comparison of serum calcium-magnesium ratio in women with and without Preeclampsia

A prospective comparative study will be performed in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ABVIMS and Dr RML Hospital, NEW DELHI. Pregnant women admitted to the maternity ward of the department with the diagnosis of PE shall be screened. Those found meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria shall be recruited after detailed written informed consent to participate. History, examination and clinical management shall be recorded as per attached proforma. Gestational age shall be determined by patients last menstrual period for those who are sure of her dates with regular cycles, otherwise it will be by measurement of foetal crown rump length at 11-13 weeks and 6 days or by the foetal trans-cerebellar diameter at 19-24 weeks.

Recruited patients shall have their serum samples taken for measurement of total calcium and magnesium levels and their ratio shall be recorded. The recruited patients shall be managed as per hospital protocol and followed up until delivery.

Sample for calcium and magnesium shall be taken from age and gestational age matched controls attending the antenatal OPD of the department. Serum calcium – magnesium ratio shall be recorded and compared in women with pre-eclampsia and normotensive pregnant women.

Both groups shall be followed until birth and pregnancy outcome shall be recorded as per the proforma. Feto-maternal outcome shall be compared in women who develop pre- eclampsia and normotensive pregnant women. In addition, cord blood samples shall be collected to assess levels of serum calcium and magnesium. 1.0 millilitres of venous cord blood shall be collected in heparinised vials and total calcium and magnesium shall be sent to the laboratory for measurement using blood gas analyser. The values shall be compared.