Serum calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphate during lactation.

Serum calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphate concentrations were determined in lactating Ghanaian women up to the twelfth month after delivery. The mean serum calcium and magnesium were found to be very significantly lower than the corresponding means of non-lactating non-pregnant women, although most of the serum calcium and magnesium values of the lactating women were within the normal ranges. The changes in serum calcium concentrations were not accounted for by the levels of serum albumin. There was only a slightly significant reduction in the serum inorganic phosphate concentrations of the lactating women.