This study shows that both serum calcium and serum magnesium levels in preeclamptic pregnant women are lower than in normal pregnant women. These findings support the hypothesis that hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia are possible etiologies of preeclampsia.

Acupressure therapy is not more effective than vitamin B6 in reducing nausea and vomiting in symptomatic women in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Aims: The aim of this study was to identify the differences in risk factors between early and late onset pre-eclampsia. Material and Methods: A case-control study was carried out involving pregnancies with pre-eclampsia (152 early onset and 297 late onset) and 449 controls at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2010. The data were reviewed from antenatal and delivery records. Results: Factors which were significantly associated with increased risk for both early and late onset preeclampsia were family history of diabetes mellitus, high pre-pregnancy body mass index Ն 25 kg/m 2 and weight gain Ն 0.5 kg per week. History of chronic hypertension (odds ratio 4.4; 95% confidence interval 2.1-9.3) was significantly associated with increased risk for only early onset pre-eclampsia, while family history of chronic hypertension (odds ratio 18; 95% confidence interval 6-54) was significantly associated with increased risk for only late onset pre-eclampsia. Conclusions:The risk factors that differ between early and late onset of pre-eclampsia were history of chronic hypertension and family history of chronic hypertension. Family history of diabetes mellitus, pre-pregnancy body mass index Ն 25 kg/m 2 and weight gain Ն 0.5 kg per week were risk factors of both early and late onset pre-eclampsia. These risk factors are of value to obstetricians in identifying patients at risk for pre-eclampsia and in implementing primary prevention.

Although some pregnant women are aware of the need to take folic acid, the actual impact of the present recommendations is almost negligible. Information to specifically inform patients about the need to take folic acid to prevent neural tube defects by medias and healthcare personnel seem to improve the final intake of folic acid during the protective period.

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