[Behavior of serum magnesium level during abortion].

Double determinations of whole blood- and serum magnesium levels were according to a complexometric method as described by Schwarzenbach (Hôlasek and Flaschka's procedure) in 134 females (66 healthy pregnant women, 68 abortions). Further, hematocrit was determined in these women. By aid of these values we were able to calculate Mg-concentrations/100 ml erythrocytes in all cases. Serum magnesium levels were depressed in the same relation in abortions and normal gravidae. Therefore, we do not confirm the results of other authors (22) asserting a typical significant decrease of serum-Mg in abortions. We warn against excessive differential-diagnostic interpretation of depressed serum magnesium in abortions. Magnesium concentrations in 100 ml erythrocytes were found significant increased over in abortions against women going through a successfully pregnancy. The cause of this magnesium increase is believed in reactive increased pouring out young partly immature erythrocytes containing high magnesium concentrations caused by losses of blood.