Association of maternal serum calcium with neonatal birth weight in term deliveries

Abstract

Background: Calcium is an essential nutrient during pregnancy that supports the growth and development of the foetus, especially because of its maternal-foetal transfer. A few previous studies reported that decreased calcium in mothers can lead to low birth weight and some other complications like pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, and fetal low bone mineral density. We do have not enough research-based information regarding this issue. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of maternal serum calcium with neonatal birth weight in term deliveries. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Child and Mother Health (ICMH), Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 2018 to August 2019. In total 98 women attending the ICMH having an uncomplicated, singleton, term pregnancy were enrolled in this study as the study subjects. A purposive sampling technique was used in sample selection. All the demographic and clinical information were recorded. All data were processed, analyzed and disseminated by using MS Office and SPSS version 22.0 program as per necessity. Results: Among the pregnant mothers who regularly took calcium supplements, 98.6% had normal s. calcium levels, whereas 69.2% of those with irregular supplement intake had low serum calcium levels; the distinction was statistically significant (p<0.001). Of the 98 newborns, 72.4% had normal birth weight, averaging 2.81±0.37 kg, while 27.6% had Low birth weight. Maternal serum calcium levels correlated with birth weight, with 86.36% of low-birth-weight babies born to mothers with lower serum calcium levels and 84.21% of normal birth weight babies born to mothers with normal serum calcium levels. This correlation was statistically significant (p<0.001), showing a positive association (p<0.001) between maternal serum calcium level (mg/dl) and neonatal birth weight (kg). Conclusions: There was a statistically significant association between maternal serum calcium level and neonatal birth weight in term deliveries where the birth weight of neonates reduces when maternal serum calcium level reduces.