Abstract
Pregnancy is a biological process whereby complex cytokine networks play an important role especially in complications, such as threatened miscarriage. This study assessed the serum levels of pro (TNF-alpha and IL-2) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines in threatened miscarriage in pregnant women within Owerri metropolis. A total of 140 women were recruited for this study; 60 pregnant test subjects, 40 pregnant subjects and 40 non-pregnant subjects as control groups. Serum levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) alpha, Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were determined using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay techniques. Data were expressed as median and analyzed using Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal Wallis test. Anthropometric data and others were obtained using standard methods. P values ≤0.05. Demographic studies showed that among the pregnant subjects, 79% are primigravida while 21% are multigravida. Among all the subjects, 18.6% were of the higher social class, 51.4% middle class and 30% lower class. The results showed a significant increase in the median values of the pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines of the pregnant test subjects, when compared with the control groups (p
Highlights
Pregnancy, known as gestation, is the time during which one or more offspring develops inside a woman [1]
The median values of the ages of the pregnant test group (A) 30.0years, pregnant control group (B) 29.5years and non-pregnant control group (C) 29.0years showed no significant difference (p=0.844), likewise their ages when compared with one another; A vs. B (p=0.698), A vs. C (p=0.577) and B vs. C (p=0.904)
Among the pregnant control group, 17.5% were of the higher class, 57.5% were of the middle class and 25% were of the lower class
Summary
Known as gestation, is the time during which one or more offspring develops inside a woman [1]. A multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins [2]. Pregnancy can occur by sexual intercourse or assisted reproductive technology [1]. Childbirth typically occurs around 40 weeks from the last menstrual period (LMP). This is just over nine lunar months, where each month is about 291⁄2 days [3]. When measured from conception it is about 38 weeks. Symptoms of early pregnancy may include missed periods, tender breasts, nausea, vomiting, hunger, and frequent urination [4]. Pregnancy is typically divided into three trimesters. The first trimester is from week one through 12 and includes conception. The second trimester is from week 13 through 28.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.