Assessment of Calcium Levels in Pregnant Versus Non-Pregnant Women in Kirkuk City
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The objective of the present study was to determine the levels of serum calcium among pregnant and non-pregnant women in Kirkuk, Iraq, and to study the dynamics of the physiological process responsible for calcium homeostasis among pregnant females. Calcium is an essential element that plays an important role in fetal bone formation and maternal physiological functions. The lack of this element during pregnancy is highly correlated with such serious problems as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The cross-sectional study was carried out in the Dalia Jumard Specialized Laboratory in Kirkuk. Blood samples from 31 participants (pregnant, n = 9 and non-pregnant, n = 22 ) were used to measure their serum calcium concentrations using the Roche Cobas Pure automated analyzer. Differences in serum calcium levels depending on age and physiological state of the participant were analyzed. Unexpectedly, contrary to some traditional tendencies, it was found that the average value of the serum calcium in pregnant women ( 10.29 ± 0.49 mg/dL ) is higher than that in non-pregnant women ( 8.68 ± 0.72 mg/dL ). In addition, both groups have serum calcium concentrations within the physiological limits. Age-related differences demonstrate the temporary reduction in the middle of pregnancy followed by its increase towards the end of the period. Despite the findings, the study was limited by a small sample size and lack of assessment of important factors such as vitamin D status and albumin-corrected calcium, calcium levels in pregnant women in Kirkuk city appear to remain within normal ranges, but continuous monitoring and nutritional support are recommended to prevent potential complications. Further large-scale studies are needed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of calcium metabolism during pregnancy in this population.
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