Effect of Maternal Serum Calcium on Fetal Birth Weight

Calcium is an important component of a healthy diet. It is essential for all living organisms as it signals the various cellular processes. It also helps in mineralization of bone, teeth and its maintenance throughout life. . Pregnancy causes a tremendous shift in maternal calcium metabolism as calcium becomes important for the fetal bone mineralization. This study establishes the effects of calcium on the fetal birth weight. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted among 100 antenatal subjects. Ethical clearance and the necessary permission from Obstetrics department of Sri Ramachandra University were obtained. Written informed consent obtained from the subjects. Biochemical analysis of calcium was done at the SRMC central laboratory. Result: The statistical analysis was done with R software. Antenatal mothers with normal serum calcium levels delivered full term babies (p=<0.001) with normal birth weight (p=<0.001) than the low calcium group. Also calcium levels were significantly high in primigravida (<0.001) and in those who took regular calcium supplements in their antenatal period (0.007) than the multigravida group and women not on calcium supplements. Conclusion: The maximum rate of increase in calcium absorption by about 33% occurs in the final trimester. Low calcium during pregnancy may limit the fetal mineral accretion and breast milk calcium concentration. This affectsthe infant growth and bone development. Hence it is essential to educate all pregnant women about the need for adequate calcium levels during pregnancy and thereafter.