ABSTRACT
Pregnancy is a period of physiological changes in body during which the nutritional needs of developing foetus depends on the mother.This study establishes the effects of maternal calcium on the neonatal birth weight in full term delivered babies.Method:A comparative study was performed on 60 antenatal women divided into 2groups.Group1 comprised of 30 antenatal women who received calcium supplements andGroup2 having 30 antenatal women who did not take calcium supplements.Permission from Dept.of OB&G,B.J.M.C and Civil Hospital,Ahmedabad obtained. Biochemical analysis of calcium was done.Birth weight of neonates born at full term was noted.Result:Women with normal serum calcium levels delivered full term babies with normal birth weight.Women with low serum calcium levels delivered full term babies with low birth weight Calcium levels were high in women who took regular calcium supplements in their antenatal period than the women who were not on calcium supplements.Conclusion:Calcium is an essential nutrient during pregnancy that supports the growth and development of the foetus,especially because of its maternal-foetaltransfer.Maternal calcium level thus can be responsible for determining the neonatal birth weight.Therefore,it is necessary to educate all pregnant women about the need for adequate calcium supplementation during pregnancy and thereafter.