Low Serum Magnesium in Preterm Labour

This study was designed to compare serum magnesium level in women with preterm labour and with those who were in term labour. A case-control study was carried out in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from July 2005 to June 2007, to evaluate serum magnesium level in women with preterm labour (28-36 weeks) and compare them with those who were in term labour (37-40 weeks). The total number of cases was 160, of which 80 were cases and similar number were control. The study subjects were selected from inpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BSMMU and Mother and Child Health Training Institute (MCHTI), Dhaka. Serum magnesium level was measured by taking 5 ml of blood from women with term (control) and preterm labour (case). The basic characteristics, like age, parity and socioeconomic status did not show statistically any significant difference between control arid case groups, but showed significant difference only in the body mass index between the two groups. Mean (±SD) BMI in control and case groups were 24.88±1.42 and 23.12±2.36 kg/m2 respectively. Mean (±SD) gestational age were 38.95±0.89 and 33.03±1.83 weeks, respectively in control and case groups. The mean (±SD) serum magnesium levels were 2.02±0.20 (range 1.70-2.4) and 1.65±0.19 (range 1.30-2.00) mg/dl, respectively, in control and case groups. ‘The difference was highly significant (p 0.001).