International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Altered calcium and magnesium metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of these disorders, but their association with Maternal and Fetal Outcome remains inadequately defined.

Aim: To compare serum calcium and magnesium levels and evaluate Maternal and Fetal outcomes in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and normotensive pregnant women.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Lalla Ded Hospital, Government Medical College, Srinagar. A total of 240 third-trimester pregnant women were enrolled, including 120 women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia) and 120 normotensive controls. Serum calcium and magnesium levels were measured using colorimetric methods. Maternal outcomes (mode of delivery, complications, ICU admission, and duration of hospital stay) and fetal outcomes (birth weight nicu admisiion and APGAR scores) were compared between the two groups. Results: Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy had significantly lower serum calcium (9.7 ± 1.7 mg/dL vs 10.2 ± 1.4 mg/dL; p = 0.031) and magnesium levels (1.7 ± 0.5 mg/dL vs 1.9 ± 1.1 mg/dL; p = 0.020) compared to normotensive women. Caesarean section rates were higher in the hypertensive group (75% vs 53.3%; p< 0.001). Maternal complications including eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, postpartum haemorrhage, ICU admission, and prolonged hospital stay were significantly more frequent in hypertensive women. Neonates born to hypertensive mothers had significantly lower mean birth weight (2.35 ± 0.48 kg vs 2.85 ± 0.45 kg; p = 0.022), a higher incidence of low birth weight (47.5% vs 18.3%; p = 0.002), and lower APGAR scores.