BACKGROUND The lowering of serum calcium can cause an elevation of blood pressure in pre-eclamptic mothers. Magnesium is a potent vasodilator of uterine and mesenteric arteries and aorta. Magnesium also increases NO production causing vasodilation. Elevation of uric acid in preeclampsia is due to factors such as abnormal renal clearance, increased tissue breakdown, acidosis and a rise in the activity of the xanthine oxidase/ dehydrogenase enzyme. In preeclampsia hypervascularisation and vasoconstriction of liver leads to liver cell injury and alteration of cell membrane permeability and damage to the cells which allows intracellular enzymes to leak into the blood leading to elevated liver enzymes like AST, ALT and Alkaline phosphatase. Aims and Objectives of the Study-To estimate and compare the levels of serum calcium, magnesium, uric acid and liver enzymes in women with preeclampsia and normal pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS This case control study was conducted at GGH, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Data was collected from 50 preeclampsia cases and 50 normal healthy pregnancies in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. RESULTS Mean Gestational age showed high significance with mean ± SD of cases at 36.38 ± 4.19 weeks compared to that of controls at 39.62 ± 1.16 weeks with a 'p' value of < 0.001. Systolic BP (150.4 ± 19.37 mmHg vs. 109.6 ± 7.55 mmHg) and mean ± SD of Diastolic BP (100.6 ± 14.05 mmHg vs. 75.4 ± 5.30 mmHg) of the pre-eclamptic group are significantly higher than the control group. Value of calcium in pre-eclamptic women was significantly low (8.57 ± 0.96 mg/dL vs. 9.88 ± 1.38 mg/dL; p < 0.001). Magnesium in preeclamptic women was lower than normal pregnant women (1.92 ± 0.36 mg/dL vs. 2.26 ± 0.25 mg/dL; p < 0.001). The serum uric acid in pre-eclamptic women was significantly more than normal pregnant women (6.66 ± 2.21 mg/dL vs. 4.51 ± 1.18 mg/dL, p < 0.001). ALP, AST and ALT were increased in cases compared to controls and are statistically highly significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Based on the present study, serum calcium and magnesium levels are low in pre-eclamptic mothers. Pregnant women should be educated about nutrition during pregnancy and probable risks of inappropriate diet should be informed. Thus, it can be concluded that Calcium and Magnesium can be evaluated at an early date, so that such mineral deficiencies can be treated by appropriate Calcium and Magnesium supplements. Uric acid and Liver enzymes can possibly be used as biomarkers for identifying and avoiding adverse pregnancy outcomes by prompt intervention.

To study the lipid profile in young diabetes mellitus patients and to correlate them with their glycemic status & obesity. MATERIALS & METHODS: 65 young diabetic patients (of age 18-39 years) and 30 healthy controls of same age group who had attended to medicine & endocrinology departments of K.G.H, Visakhapatnam, were included in this study. RESULTS & OBSERVATIONS: Among 65 cases, 15 are Type1 DM & 50 cases are of Type 2 DM. In Type1 DM, 66.6% had poor glycemic status. Dyslipidemia was more in poorly controlled than well controlled (80% vs. 20% p<0.05). In Type 2 DM, 32 had poor glycemic control &18 had good control (64% vs. 36%). In Type2 DM, 13 out of 18 well controlled had dyslipidemia & all the 32 poorly controlled, had dyslipidemia (72%vs100%, p<0.05). In Type 2DM, 64% of patients had high W/H ratio. Dyslipidemia seen more in over weight and obese than non-obese (100% vs. 77.2%, p < 0.05) in Type 2 DM. Over all among 65 cases of DM, 54 had dyslipidemia & out of 30 controls 7 had dyslipidemia. This prevalence of dyslipidemia in diabetics was statistically found to be significant (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: The present study suggests that dyslipidemia was more prevalent in diabetics when compared to non-diabetics. In both Type 1 & Type 2 DM, dyslipidemia was more prevalent in poorly controlled than well controlled patients. Dyslipidemia was more prevalent in obese than non-obese. Glycemic status and obesity are important determinants of dyslipidemia in diabetics. So good glycemic control, treatment of obesity reduces the incidence of dyslipidemia and its associated complications, particularly coronary artery diseases. 1