Biological trace element research
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The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of hypocalcemia and its correlation with dietary intake of calcium (DICa) and urinary calcium excretion (UCaE) in pregnant women. Healthy pregnant women (n = 543) were enrolled consecutively. DICa was calculated form dietary history. ⋯ Daily dietary calcium intake was less than the recommended dietary allowances. There was a high prevalence of asymptomatic hypocalcemia in pregnant women of low socio-economic status which was unrelated to their overall nutritional status and daily calcium intake. It did not have any adverse effect on the immediate pregnancy outcome.