Abstract:
A cross-sectional study conducted during the period from November
2009 to July 2010, compared serum levels of calcium, phosphate and
alkaline phosphatase activity of 50 healthy pregnant women (as a test group)
and 30 apparently healthy non-pregnant volunteers (as a control group). All
were from Khartoum state. The test group and the control group were
matched for age. The serum levels of calcium, phosphate and the activity of
alkaline phosphatase were measured using BTS #71895 humalyzer analyzer
and commercial kits from Biosystem Company.
Serum calcium was significantly reduced, while serum phosphate was
not significantly changed, wheras alkaline phosphatase activity was
significantly raised in the test group compared to the control group.
In the test group, serum calcium and phosphate showed insignificant
correlation with the duration of pregnancy, wheras serum alkaline
phosphatase activity showed significant strong positive correlation with the
duration of pregnancy.
From this study, it is concluded that; pregnancy is associated with
significant reduction in serum calcium that correlates weakly with the
duration of pregnancy. Serum phosphorus is not significantly changed
during pregnancy and has insignificant correlation with the duration of
pregnancy. In addition serum alkaline phosphates activity is significantly
raised and has a strong positive significant correlation with the duration of
pregnancy.
