Serum levels and urinary excretion of magnesium in pregnancy. Effect of milk intake

Magnesium levels in serum, as well as 24-hr urine and 2-hr post-fasting urine levels, were studied in 107 pregnant women, who were later separated into two groups. One group was advised to follow their usual intake, and the other, to supplement the diet with 750 cc of milk. The control group (30 healthy non-pregnant women) underwent the same protocol. Magnesium intake in pregnant women was much lower than that recommended for gestation. In both groups of pregnant women, serum magnesium levels were lower than those of the controls, in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Urinary magnesium in 24-hr urine was higher in each trimester of pregnancy than the controls. Hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesuria not influenced by milk intake was observed.