Calcium metabolism in normal and hypertensive pregnancy.

Abstract

Calcium homeostasis is an important aspect of maternal and fetal physiology during gestation, and recent evidence implicates alterations in calcium metabolism in the pathogenesis of hypertension during pregnancy. Deficiencies in calcium intake have been linked to preeclampsia/eclampsia, and hypocalciuria and deviations in both 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH have been shown in women with preeclampsia. Preliminary studies also suggest that calcium supplementation may lower blood pressure and prevent preeclampsia in pregnant women.