Clinical Significance of Low Serum Magnesium in Pregnant Women – A Hospital based Descriptive Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Hypomagnesemia has been implicated in a variety of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, preterm labour, and fetal growth restriction.

Objectives: To estimate the levels of serum magnesium and thereby the proportion with hypomagnesemia among pregnant women presenting to a tertiary healthcare facility; and to determine the association between serum magnesium levels and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: This was a hospital based descriptive analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore among pregnant women (18-35 years of age) with gestational age more than 28 weeks in true labour using a purpose predesigned, semi structured, pretested questionnaire that included a detailed clinical history, examination, and investigations (complete antenatal profile, ultrasound, and serum magnesium levels).

Results: The study included a total of 250 participants. The prevalence of hypomagnesemia was 21.2%; mean (SD) levels of magnesium was 0.93 (0.1) in patients with low levels of magnesium and 1.65 (0.3) in patients with normal levels of magnesium – a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The tests of association found that socioeconomic status, parity, and gestational age (in weeks) were significantly associated with hypomagnesemia (p<0.05). However, age (in years), blood pressure, haemoglobin (gm/dl) and oral glucose challenge test (OGCT) values were statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Importantly, it was found that pregnant women with hypomagnesemia were at increased risk of maternal complication during pregnancy and in labour, caesarean section, and low birthweight infants in comparison with pregnant women having normal levels of magnesium (p<0.05). However, the APGAR scores were not statistically associated with levels of serum magnesium (p>0.05).

Conclusion: To mitigate the risks and enhance the health of expectant mothers and their babies, healthcare providers should consider routine monitoring of magnesium levels in pregnant women.