Calcium hormones in diabetic pregnancy

Abstract

To evaluate calcium hormones in diabetic pregnancy, eleven diabetic pregnant women were studied by measuring serum total calcium, phosphorus by conventional methods, and parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, by radioimmunologic methods, serially every four weeks, beginning at 16th week throughout 36th week of gestation. Serum total calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone levels dit not differ between diabetic and non diabetic pregnant women, nor between all pregnant women and age-matched non pregnant healthy women. Serum calcitonin levels, although significantly higher than those of age-matched non pregnant women, did not differ between diabetic and non diabetic pregnant women, maintaining constant with the progression of pregnancy. Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels, although contained within the normal range, increased significantly in the third trimester of gestation both in non diabetic pregnant women and, even though later, in diabetic pregnant women.