Magnesium concentration in amniotic fluid in the early weeks of the second trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

BackgroundWe analyse magnesium levels in amniotic fluid to establish normal values for the 14th to 18th week of pregnancy and establish critical values that could be useful diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for possible complications.FindingsNinety-two samples of amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis as well as the corresponding serum samples of pregnant women were analysed. The gestational age (mean ± SD) at which the amniotic fluid sample was obtained was 16.13 ± 1.87 weeks. Magnesium levels were determined by colorimetric assay with chlorophosphonazo-III using the the Cobas c 501 analyser (Roche Diagnostics). Statistical treatment of data was performed using the SPSS program, version 15.0.Results revealed a mean magnesium value of 1.65 ± 0.16 mg/dL in amniotic fluid and 1.97 ± 0.23 mg/dL in serum.ConclusionsIt would be interesting to extend the study to a larger number of pregnant women to determine variations in normal magnesium values in the three trimesters of pregnancy.

Evaluation of Essential and Toxic Elements in Amniotic Fluid and Maternal Serum at Birth

“…A lower quantity of elements in the AF than in MS was observed by other authors during the second trimester of gestation [ 7 , 18 ]. Moreover, Silberstein et al [ 7 ] found a significant correlation ( R = 0.99) between the level of Fe, Zn, Co, Sr and B in AF and the serum of women at 16–21 weeks of pregnancy, although we have not confirmed it—neither in this nor our previous studies.…”

Concentrations of Mineral in Amniotic Fluid and Their Relations to Selected Maternal and Fetal Parameters

“…In this study, it was observed that lower levels of magnesium were found in the amniotic fluid of older mothers. Low magnesium levels in AF are associated with complications of pregnancy such as preeclampsia and diabetes [ 3 ], and it is known that women with advanced maternal age are at high risk of developing these diseases [ 10 – 12 ]. Moreover, the concentration of some minerals (including magnesium) in women’s bodies may depend on age.…”

“…Only a few investigations to date have evaluated the concentration of minerals in AF. Some studies have determined the essential elements levels in AF, and attempts have been made to establish normal values for the early weeks of pregnancy [ 1 , 3 ]. In other studies, it was demonstrated that heavy metals may accumulate in AF from a very early stage of gestation; however, little is known about the influence of metals in AF on fetal development or about the long-term effects of this early exposure [ 4 ].…”