Abstract
Pregnant women in developing countries have been reported to consume diets with low density of minerals and essential trace elements. Therefore, this study aims to assess the serum levels of magnesium and manganese and its trimester correlates among pregnant women in Ika community of Delta state, Nigeria. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the serum levels of magnesium and manganese among 64 apparently healthy pregnant and age matched 25 healthy non-pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at obstetrics and gynaecology unit of central hospital Agbor. The mean serum levels of manganese increased with increase in gestational age while hypomagnesaemia 12.24ug/dl was observed in 60 (93.8%) of the pregnant women with a larger preponderance in the second trimester There was significant difference between the serum level of manganese in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women (p<0.001). There were no statistical significance between the serum levels of these trace elements and occupation, nature of dietary intake, age of participants and trimester of pregnancy. We observed an increase in the mean serum levels of manganese with trimester progression while a high prevalence rate (93.8%) of magnesium deficiency among pregnant women was noted in this study. Maximal awareness (advocacy) should therefore be given to pregnant women on the need for adequate dietary intake and supplementation to avoid the complications associated with deficiency of this nutrient. Keywords: Magnesium, Manganese, Pregnant, Women, Agbor, Nigeria
Highlights
Micronutrient deficiency in women of reproductive age is recognized as a major public health problem in many developing countries with attendant morbidities (Ramakrishman,2002)
Magnesium (Mg) is a trace element which is ingested with food or water and it is needed to stay healthy as is an essential cofactor for multiple enzymes involved in glucose metabolism and it has been postulated to play a role in glucose homeostasis, insulin action and in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (Larson & Wolk,2007)
Ninety six patients were recruited for the study only 89 subjects including 64 healthy pregnant women aged 19-49 years and 25 age matched control subjects consented to participate in the survey; giving a response rate of 92.7%
Summary
Micronutrient deficiency in women of reproductive age is recognized as a major public health problem in many developing countries with attendant morbidities (Ramakrishman,2002). Micronutrient (essential trace elements) are those elements that are required in minute quantities by an organism to maintain normal complex metabolism (e.g. metalloproteins) which are required in enzymatic activities and can play structural role in connective tissues or cell membranes (Goldstein,1990). An imbalance in the levels of these trace elements is worrisome, more so in a pregnant woman. Nutritional deficiencies are common during pregnancy and pregnant women in developing countries have been reported to consume diets that are low in minerals and vitamins Magnesium (Mg) is a trace element which is ingested with food or water and it is needed to stay healthy as is an essential cofactor for multiple enzymes involved in glucose metabolism and it has been postulated to play a role in glucose homeostasis, insulin action and in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (Larson & Wolk,2007).
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