Association of Maternal Serum Calcium with Neonatal Birth Weight in Term Deliveries

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight is a major public health issue in Bangladesh, often linked to maternal calcium deficiency during pregnancy—affected by poor intake and low vitamin D and Mg—which may impair fetal growth; this study aimed to assess the association between maternal serum calcium and neonatal birth weight in term deliveries. Methods & Materials: This case-control study (Jan–Dec 2021) at ICMH, Dhaka included 56 pregnant women (37–42 weeks); 28 cases (birth weight <2.5 kg) and 28 controls (≥2.5–<4.0 kg), with data collected via interview, examination, and lab tests, neonatal weight measured within 48 h, maternal serum calcium analyzed from venous blood, and data processed using SPSS 27 with ethical approval obtained. Results: The mean (±SD) calcium level was much lower among the cases than the controls, 8.01±0.94 mg/dL and 9.05±1.48 mg/dL respectively. This difference was found statistically significant p=0.003). Considering calcium level of 8 mg/dL as the cut-off value, odd’s ratio calculation showed the mother with calcium level <8.0 mg/dL had 4.6 times more chance to giving birth to low-birth-weight neonate compared to those with calcium level ≥8.0 mg/dL (p=0.007; OR=4.636; CI95%=1.478-14.543). There was a significant positive correlation of serum calcium level with neonatal birth weight (r = 0.398, p=0.002). Conclusion: A low serum calcium level was commonly observed in women in term deliveries who just had delivered a LBW neonate. Therefore, maternal serum calcium status was found associated with neonatal birth weight.