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Introduction: Disorders of total calcium (tCa) in pregnancy have been associated with adverse maternofoetal outcomes. However, studies evaluating this from the viewpoint of ionised calcaemia are practically inexistent. This study estimates the prevalence of some adverse maternal and foetal outcomes and the potential effect of ionised calcium (iCa), tCa, albumin and calcium supplementation on some maternofoetal outcomes., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1074 pregnant women in late pregnancy from four health facilities in the Nkongsamba Health District. Data were collected by interview, analysis of maternal blood samples and measurement of maternal and foetal parameters. Total calcaemia and albuminaemia were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while iCa and pH were measured using ion-selective potentiometry. Associations were measured using the odds ratio in simple and multiple logistic regression., Results: The prevalence of low birth weight, macrosomia, and hypertension in pregnancy was 6.27 [4.97-7.89]%, 4.78 [3.65-7.89]%, 10.24 [8.57-12.20]%, respectively. Following multiple logistic regression, women with iCa levels ≤ 1.31mmol/L had significantly increased odds of hypertension in pregnancy (AOR = 2.47 [1.63-3.74], p-value = 0.000), having babies with low birth weight (AOR = 2.02[1.33-3.61], p-value = 0.002), low birth length (AOR = 2.00 [1.34-2.99], p-value = 0.001), low brachial circumference (AOR = 1.41[1.10-1.81], p-value = 0.007), first minute Apgar score < 7 (AOR = 3.08[1.70-5.59], p-value = 0.000) and fifth minute Apgar score < 7 (AOR = 2.86[1.32-6.16], p-value = 0.007). Ionised calcaemia had no significant association with maternal body mass index immediately after birth and the head circumference of the baby. Total calcaemia was found to have no significant association with any of the selected outcomes, while women with total albuminaemia ≤ 30mg/L had significantly higher odds of having babies with low birth weight (AOR = 3.40[1.96-5.91], p-value = 0.000), and Apgar scores < 7 at the first (AOR = 2.07[1.16-3.70], p-value = 0.013). Calcium supplementation showed no significant association with any of the selected outcomes except for the first (OR = 0.42[0.24-0.72], p-value = 0.002) and fifth minute Apgar score (OR = 0.25[0.12-0.50], p-value = 0.000)., Conclusion: The prevalence of low birth weight, macrosomia, and hypertension in pregnancy was 6.27 [4.97-7.89]%, 4.78 [3.65-7.89]%, 10.24 [8.57-12.20]%, respectively. Maternal iCa levels ≤ 1.31mmol/L significantly increase the odds of having babies with low birth weight, low birth length, low brachial circumference at birth, low Apgar scores at the first and fifth minutes and maternal hypertension in pregnancy. Low maternal albuminaemia is significantly associated with low birth weight, and Apgar score < 7 at the first minute. None f the selected maternofoetal outcomes directly depend on total calcaemia, given that none of the associations was statistically significant. Even though iCa levels remain relatively normal in normal pregnancies, it remains the strongest predictor of foetal outcomes. Calcium supplementation significantly improves the Apgar scores at the first and fifth minute. Routine pregnancy follow-up should include evaluating maternal calcaemic states, particularly the ionised fraction, to detect the low-normal concentrations likely to impact maternal and foetal outcomes. Normal iCa levels for pregnant women need revisiting., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Introduction: Hypocalcaemia in pregnancy remains a major health issue, particularly in the developing world where daily calcium intakes are suboptimal. This electrolyte imbalance can lead to severe maternofoetal and childhood consequences. Calcium supplementation, amongst others, contributes significantly to meeting calcium demands in pregnancy. With ionised calcaemia as the gold standard for diagnosis, total calcaemia and albumin-corrected calcaemia in other pathological states have been found to overestimate the burden of hypocalcaemia. The main objectives of this study are to describe the blood calcium level (total, albumin corrected, and ionised calcaemia) and associated maternofoetal outcomes while identifying determinants of calcium supplementation and ionised hypocalcaemia. This study will also evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of albumin corrected calcaemia as a diagnostic tool for hypocalcaemia (ionised calcaemia as the gold standard) among pregnant women in the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital, Cameroon., Methods: Our study will target a total of 1067 term pregnant women who shall be included consecutively into the study as they arrive the maternity of the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital for their last antenatal care visit. Data shall be collected using a semi-structured interview-administered questionnaire and blood samples collected for total plasma calcium, albumin and serum ionized calcium assays. Additional data will be collected at birth (maternal and foetal variables; foetal outcomes evaluated as secondary outcomes). Total calcaemia and albuminemia shall be measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while ionised calcaemia will be measured by ion-selective electrode potentiometry(using MSLEA15-H electrolyte analyzer) per standard BIOLABO and MSLEA15 protocols, respectively. Data will be analysed using the statistical softwares epi-Info version 7.2.2.16 and STATA version 16., Expected Research Outcome: This study will present a more precise estimate of the burden of hypocalcaemia in late pregnancy as well as identify and analyse the different factors associated with calcium supplementation and ionised hypocalcaemia among term pregnant women in a developing world setting. Maternofoetal outcomes associated with hypocalcaemia will be determined as well as the sensitivity and specificity of total and albumin-corrected calcaemia in diagnosing hypocalcaemia. Our findings will contribute significantly to designing or strengthening interventions to control this electrolyte imbalance., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In Cameroon, most women use traditional medicine for the treatment of pregnancy and childbirth complaints. In order to identify some of the medicinal plants locally used to alleviate these complaints, an ethnobotanical survey was undertaken in five villages of Menoua Division (West-Cameroon)., Materials and Methods: Interviews were conducted through structured questionnaires among 24 traditional healers and 179 women living either in the town of Dschang or in 4 neighboring villages. After having recorded the interviewee personal information on issues related to medicinal plants utilization, a literature investigation on their therapeutic or pharmacological effects and phytochemical composition was conducted., Results: A total of 88 medicinal plants species used to treat 24 conditions occurring during or after pregnancy and belonging to 70 genera or 34 families were recorded. Maximum medicinal uses of plants are reported for the treatment of the following ailments: swelling of legs and ankles (23%), facilitation of delivery (22%), cleaning of the baby (12%). Most herbal remedies are prepared with the leaves (30%), leaves+stems (28%) and whole plant (23%) as maceration (76%). The majority of women who used medicinal plants were very satisfied (75 %) and it is reported that most of these plants are used in the treatment of women health conditions., Conclusion: Many herbal remedies used for the treatment of pregnant women׳s health conditions in Menoua division-West Cameroon have been revealed. It would therefore be judicious for our government and research institution to evaluate the therapeutic and toxicological potentials of these plants in order to valorize their use., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)