Hypo-magnesium and Hyperlipidemia Responsible for Hypertensive Status of Pregnant Women in Pakistani Population

Background/ Aim: Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) has been a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. It could be responsible for several complications like hemodilution, altered lipid metabolism and deficiencies of different minerals in body. Although the causes of Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) remains indistinct. The aim of our present study was to evaluate the changes in magnesium serum levels and lipid profile in hypertensive and normotensive pregnant women.

Materials and Methods: An analytical case control study comprising 60 individuals was designed. From which 30 normotensive pregnant women served as control group (A) and 30 pregnancy induced hypertensive women served as case group (B). Patients with pre-existing hypertension were excluded.

Results: The independent t-test was used for comparison of various parameters between group A and B. Triacylglycerol (TAG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly high in PIH (B) as compare to normotensive group (A). Mean serum values of TG were measured as (195.73 ± 70.28 vs 156.27 ± 55.60 mg dL-1) and LDL-C vs control (87.33 ± 37.74 vs 69.45 ± 28.58 mg dL-1) in PIH and normotensive groups respectively. HDL-C in PIH vs Control (47.40±1.12 vs 54.43 ±1.27 mg dL-1) and Mg+2 PIH vs control (1.36±0.07 vs 1.94±0.35 mg dL-1) were measured respectively. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and magnesium Mg+2 levels were significantly reduced in PIH.

Conclusion: The lower serum magnesium levels and abnormal lipids profile may indicate their possible role as risk factors in the development of PIH in pregnant women. Hence initial diagnosis of hypomagnesemia in PIH cases may help in minimizing the complications and development of new cure strategies.