Abstract
The study was done to determine iron status, haemoglobin and protein levels of pregnant women in owerri metropolis. A total of 100 pregnant women were recruited for this study. The mean Hb levels in group 1, group 2, and group 3· were 12.00±1.68g/dl, 10.06±1.J4g/dl and 10.96±1.19g/dl respectively. The mean Serum ferritin level of group 1 was 67.00±88.38ng/ml, group 2, 52.48±52.47ng/ml and group 3, 51.26±48.70ng/ml. The mean Serum iron in group 1, 2 and 3 were 46.72±16.41 g/dl, 79.59±63.24 g/dl and 83.35±53.04 g/dl respectively. In group 1, 2 and 3 the mean results. ( g/dl) of TIBC were 295.58 ± 109.53, 324.06 ± 178.00 and 319.88 ± 92.95 and % T.S (%) were 18.78 ± 11.77,26.59 ± 19.40 and 17.97 ± 10.87 percent respectively. The mean total protein was group 1,6.83±l1.77g/dl, group 2,6.39±0.70g/dl and group 3, 6.39 ±0.98 g/dl while the mean albumin (g/dl) in group 1, 2 and 3 were 4.84±0.47, 4.13±0.28 and 4.14±0.29 respectively. The mean values of globulin (g/dl) were 1.98 ± 0.91, 2.29 ± 0.87 and 1.89 ± 0.90 in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. As gestational age increased; serum ferritin, total protein, and albumin levels decreased while serum" iron and TIBC increased. The differences in the mean results between the groups were statistically significant (p<0.05) while % T.S and globulin levels when compared showed no significant difference (p>0.05). Iron status showed no statistical difference with increasing parity (p>0.05). However, from this study iron deficiency anaemia was most prevalent in second trimester; hence iron status estimation should be an integral part of routine antenatal care test during second trimester of each pregnancy for proper assessment and management of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy.
Highlights
Pregnancy is a period between conception and delivery and has been associated with increased dietary requirements in humans including protein, iron, and vitamins etc
With the letter of introduction/identification from the Department of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Imo State University (IMSD), Owerri, we applied to the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri who directed/referred me to the Ethical Committee where we obtained an approval via ethical clearance which we took to the co-ordinator antenatal unit who gave me the necessary direction and assistance from the staff to the patients
In first trimester the mean ±S.D values of haemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), total protein were l2.0±1.68, 67±88.38, Table 2 shows the relationship between iron status and gestational age in pregnant women studied
Summary
Pregnancy is a period between conception and delivery and has been associated with increased dietary requirements in humans including protein, iron, and vitamins etc. During their period of rapid growth, the foetus and placenta accrue proteins very rapidly [1,2]. Iron enters the body after absorption from the diet and it is highly conserved in humans. Absorption of iron from the small intestine and its release from macrophages is tightly controlled, as free iron has the potential to cause tissue damage through the production of reactive oxygen species. The total body iron content ranges between 2 and 4 g: approximately 50 mg/kg in men and 35 mg/kg in women
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