SERUM CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS AND MAGNESIUM LEVELS IN PREGNANT AND NON‐PREGNANT NIGERIANS

Abstract

Serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium were determined in 282 Nigerian women comprising 213 pregnant women, 37 non-pregnant controls, and 32 postpartum women. There was very little change in the serum calcium levels throughout pregnancy; the slight reduction which occurred during the 8th and 9th months was not statistically significant. There was a significant reduction in the serum concentrations of inorganic phosphorus and magnesium during the 8th and 9th months of gestation; the levels of both minerals rose to non-pregnant levels at term.