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Abstract
Objective: To compare serum magnesium levels between women with pre-eclampsia and with normal pregnancies, and evaluate the relationship between magnesium levels and blood pressure.
Study Design: Comparative Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, National Hospital and Medical Centre, Lahore, in 6 months.
Methodology: The study involved a total of 60 pregnant women attending antenatal care, 30 women with clinically diagnosed pre-eclampsia and 30 with uncomplicated pregnancies. Serum magnesium levels were measured using the colorimetric xylidin blue method on an automated biochemical analyzer, and blood pressure was recorded using a standardized protocol.
Results: Women with pre-eclampsia had lower serum magnesium levels (1.72 ± 0.19 mg/dL) than those with normal pregnancies (2.05 ± 0.21 mg/dL, p < 0.001). They also had higher systolic (152.5 ± 11.6 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressures (101.7 ± 7.8 mmHg) compared to controls (112.8 ± 8.2 mmHg and 73.4 ± 5.1 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was found between serum magnesium and both systolic (r = –0.61, p < 0.01) and diastolic BP (r = –0.57, p < 0.01), suggesting reduced magnesium may play a role in preeclampsia.
Conclusion: Reduced serum magnesium levels are significantly associated with pre-eclampsia and correlate inversely with blood pressure. Routine monitoring of magnesium during pregnancy may aid in early detection and prevention strategies for pre-eclampsia.