Urinary calcium excretion in severe preeclampsia and eclampsia

Urinary calcium levels in women with mild preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia and eclampsia were evaluated in this study. We collected 24-h urine samples from 35 mild preeclamptic (Group 1), 30 severe preeclamptic (Group 2), and 17 eclamptic patients (Group 3). The control group (Group 4) consisted of 35 healthy pregnant women. Serum levels of total calcium and creatinine, and urinary calcium were measured. These values were compared in the four groups. The mean maternal age and parity were similar in all groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the serum levels of total calcium and creatinine (p > 0.05). Urinary calcium excretion in patients with preeclampsia and eclampsia was significantly lower than in controls (p > 0.0001). Urinary calcium levels between mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia, and severe preeclampsia and eclampsia were similar (p > 0.05), but were lower in eclampsia than in mild preeclampsia (p < 0.05). In conclusion, urinary calcium excretion is reduced in patients with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia. However, the decrease in urinary calcium excretion cannot be used to identify the severity of preeclampsia, or to predict impending eclampsia.