The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The relationship between total calcium level and uterine atony following vaginal delivery in pregnant women: a prospective cohort study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ezzatalsadat Haji-Seid-Javadi 1
Farideh Movahed 1
Yasaman Ebadi 2
Simindokht Molaverdikhani 3
Zahrasadat Mohammadi 4
1 Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kowsar Clinical Research Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
2 Gynecologist, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kowsar Clinical Research Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
3 Researcher, Kowsar Clinical Research Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
4 Statistician, Kowsar Development and Clinical Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2024.79185.6061
Abstract
Introduction: Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in pregnant mothers in the world. Uterine atony is the most common cause of early postpartum hemorrhage. Considering the positive effect of calcium on uterine contraction, hypocalcemia may play a role in uterine atony. This study was conducted with aim to investigate the relationship between total calcium level and uterine atony following vaginal delivery.
Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 619 pregnant mothers with full-term singleton pregnancy with cephalic presentations that had referred to Qazvin Kowsar Hospital in 2022 for termination of pregnancy. 5 cc blood samples were taken from all mothers to determine total calcium levels. After delivery, atonic and non-atonic mothers were evaluated in terms of calcium levels. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software (version 24). P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: In this study, 45 women (7.3%) had uterine atony. The mean calcium level of mothers with uterine atony was 8.2±0.37 and non-atony mothers was 8.9±0.37 mg/dL (p<0.001). Also, 39 person (86.7%) of mothers with uterine atony had hypocalcemia (calcium level less than 8.5), while this rate was 9.9% in non-atony mothers and this difference was significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion: In the present study, the calcium level of mothers with uterine atony was lower than non-atony mothers. Therefore, measuring calcium levels can be useful for predicting uterine atony.
Keywords
Calcium
Childbirth
Postpartum hemorrhage
Uterine atony
Subjects
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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 27, Issue 5
July 2024
Pages 10-19