Studying the effect of mineral levels and kidney function in pregnant women with high blood pressure in the city of Fallujah

Abstract

Background: Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy increase maternal and fetal health risks. Altered levels of essential minerals and impaired kidney function may contribute to these conditions. However, their relationship with blood pressure across different pregnancy trimesters remains unclear. Objective: To investigate the association between serum mineral levels, kidney function, and hypertension, and to compare these parameters between the first and third trimesters in hypertensive pregnancies.

 Materials and Methods: A case control study was carried out at Fallujah Teaching Hospital, Anbar Governorate, Iraq, after October 15 till December 15, 2024. The study involved 70 pregnant women aged 25–45 years including; 35 with hypertension (cases) and 35 normotensive controls. Blood samples were obtained, and serum levels of iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na) and kidney function markers (creatinine, urea) were assessed. Statistical comparisons were performed using independent t-tests, with significance defined as p ≤ 0.05.

Results: Hypertensive women exhibited significantly lower serum iron levels (42.31 ± 4.26 µg/dL vs. 105.65 ± 14.21 µg/dL; p < 0.001) and elevated Mg, K, and Na (1.905 ± 0.509 mg/dL, 4.812 ± 0.409 mmol/L, 145.17 ± 4.51 mmol/L, respectively) compared to controls (Mg: 1.504 ± 0.241 mg/dL; K: 3.901 ± 0.341 mmol/L; Na: 130.71 ± 7.09 mmol/L; p < 0.001). Kidney function markers were significantly impaired in the hypertensive group (creatinine: 0.912 ± 0.141 mg/dL vs. 0.618 ± 0.106 mg/dL; urea: 47.69 ± 2.39 mg/dL vs. 28.91 ± 3.91 mg/dL; p < 0.001). No significant differences in mineral levels were observed between first- and third-trimester hypertensive women.

Conclusions: Hypertensive pregnancies are associated with marked iron deficiency, elevated Mg/K/Na levels, and reduced kidney function compared to healthy pregnancies. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring mineral homeostasis and renal health in prenatal care to mitigate hypertension-related complications. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to elucidate trimester-specific dynamics.