The cause of preeclampsia remains unknown and calcium and magnesium supplement are being suggested as means of prevention. The objective of this study was to assess magnesium and calcium in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of Nigerian women with preeclampsia and eclampsia.Setting was University of Benin Teaching Hospital, in Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional study comprising of eleven patients and twenty-three controls. The mean, standard deviation and Standard Error of Mean (SEM) were calculated. Student 't' test method was applied.Plasma calcium was significantly lower in patients than controls (9.2 ± 1.02 Vs 9.98 ± 0.87mg/dl, P 0.043) "t" test. The CSF calcium and magnesium levels were lower in patients than controls, (5.66 ± 1.22 vs 6.67 ± 1.15mg/ dl, P 0.043 and 1.75 ± 0.56 vs 1.91 ± 0.19mg/dl, P 0. < 0.0001) respectively.There is extracellular calcium and magnesium reduction in patients with preeclampsia and eclampsia. This reduction may have a cause and effect relationship with these disorders. RÉSUMÉLe calcium extracellulaire et le magnésium au cours de la rééclampsie et l'éclampsie On ne connaìt pas toujours la cause de l'éclampsie et le calcium et le supplément de magnésium ont été suggérés comme moyens de prévention. Cette étude a pour objectif d'évaluer le magnésium et le calcium dans le plasma et dans le liquide céphalo -rachidien chez les femmes nigérianes qui souffrent de la prééclampsie et de l'éclampsie. Le cadre était le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (UBTH) à Benin, au Nigéria. Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale qui comprenait onze patientes et vingt-trois témoins. L'écart type de la moyenne et l'Erreur Type de la Moyenne (ETM) ont été calculés. La méthode de test de 't' de l'étudiant a été appliqué. La calcium du plasma était moins élevé chez les patientes que chez les témoins (9,2±, 02 Vs 9,98 ± 0, 87mg/dl) le test de "t". Les niveaux du calcium et du magnésium du liquide céphalo-rachidien (LLR) étaient moins élevés chez les patientes que chez les témoins (5,66 ± 1, 22 Vs 6,67 ± 1, 15mg/dl, P 0,043 et 1, 75 ± 0, 56 Vs 1,91 ± 0, 19mg/dl, P 0, < 0, 0001) respectivement. Il y a une réduction du calcium extracellulaire chez les patientes souffrant de la prééclampsie et de l'éclampsie. Cette réduction pourrait avoir un rapport de cause et d'effect avec ces troubles. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2007; 11[2]:80-85).

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PPER airway patency is essential for normal respiratory function. The maintenance of a patent airway is dependent on the pharyngeal and laryngeal structures. However, during speech, deglutition, regurgitation and eructation, the laryngeal and epiglottis do close momentarily. This is a protective mechanism that occurs during normal respiratory activities. The morphologic structure of the upper airway is important in the maintenance of the patent airway during sleep and wakefulness. The nasal passage has a bony architecture with the cartilaginous larynx and extrathoracic trachea, which helps produce a conduit for inspiration and expiration of air during sleep and wakeful state. However, in some individuals, there is a loss of this protective mechanism. In these individuals, obstruction to airflow does occur during sleep. The degree and extent of the obstruction and the ensuing clinical state is variable but critically dependent on the dilator muscles of the pharynx. The pharynx due to its characteristic structures remains a potential zone for the interruption of airflow. The three anatomic segments of the pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx) have compliant structures, are liable to collapse resulting in obstruction to airflow during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea). The objective of this course therefore, is to provide a synopsis of the anesthetic management of this rather challenging clinical syndrome.