Serum Magnesium among Women with Preterm Labour in a Tertiary Health Institution in South-East Nigeria: A Comparactive Study

Background: Preterm delivery is a major health concern. It is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Besides varied aetiology, it may be due to alteration in basic biochemical function of the body at cellular level making emphasis on trace elements especially Magnesium. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between maternal serum Magnesium levels and preterm labour. Methodology: This is a cross sectional comparative study of 70 women presenting at the labour ward of Federal Medical Centre Owerri with spontaneous preterm labour (cases) and 70 women with uncomplicated pregnancies at term(controls). Relevant clinical data were obtained from participants using a proforma, after which blood samples were collected and serum Magnesium levels were determined using a direct method (calmagite method). The data obtained was analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) for Windows version 22. The results were expressed in mean ± standard deviation and evaluated with unpaired student “t” test, chi square test, ANOVA and post-HOC test. Significance was defined as P values Results: Patients with preterm labour had a highly significantly depressed serum Magnesium level (mean 1.7 mg/dl ± 0.33 vs. 2.05 ± 0.26 mg/dl) (p Conclusion: Low serum Magnesium level is associated with preterm onset of labour hence Magnesium supplementation in pregnancy is recommended especially for those of low social class and advanced maternal age.