Calcium and zinc status and risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women with varying seafood intake in Ambon City: a case-control study

Abstract Background Preeclampsia is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, often influenced by maternal nutrition. Calcium and zinc are essential micronutrients implicated in the prevention of preeclampsia. This study examines their levels in pregnant women consuming seafood in Ambon City as a local data that could support global data. Methods This analytical observational study used a case-control design. Calcium and zinc levels were assessed in 120 pregnant women (60 with preeclampsia, 60 without preeclampsia) attending medical facilities in Ambon from June to October 2024. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests, were performed. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Pregnant women with preeclampsia in Ambon City had lower calcium levels than those without preeclampsia, especially among those consuming less than four pieces of sea fish per day (≈ 120 g each) (borderline (OR = 3.143, p = 0.053)). Zinc levels showed no significant difference. Women with preeclampsia had a 10.286-fold increased likelihood of low calcium levels. Conclusion In Ambon City, pregnant women with preeclampsia have lower calcium levels than those without, while zinc levels remain similar between both groups. Higher fish consumption (at least four medium-sized pieces per day) is linked to higher calcium levels in both preeclamptic and non-preeclamptic women, but zinc levels are unaffected by fish intake.