Author/Authors :
Dangana ، Amos Department of Medical Laboratory Services - University of Abuja Teaching Hospital , Emeribe ، Anthony Uchenna Department of Medical Laboratory Science - University of Calabar , Musa ، Sanusi Department of Medical Laboratory Science - Faculty of Allied Health Sciences - Ahmadu Bello University , Moses ، Lugos Department of Medical Laboratory Science - University of Jos , Ogar ، Christopher Department of Medical Laboratory Science - University of Calabar , Ugwu ، Charles Department of Medical Laboratory Science - Ebonyi State University , Obi-George ، Chibueze Department of Medical Laboratory Science - University of Nigeria , Medugu ، Jessy Department of Medical Laboratory Science - University of Maiduguri , Billyrose ، Olasoji Matthew Department of Medical Laboratory Services - University of Abuja Teaching Hospital , Abdullahi ، Idris Nasir Department of Medical Laboratory Science - Faculty of Allied Health Sciences - Ahmadu Bello University
Abstract :
Background and Aims: Iron Deficiency (ID) is a common obstetric problem and nutritional disorder that occurs mostly in developing countries. Hence, nutritional studies are required every few years to determine the necessary healthcare interventions for pregnant women. This crosssectional study evaluated the plasma iron, ferritin, transferrin, total ironbinding capacity (TIBC), and unsaturated ironbinding capacity (UIBC) levels of pregnant women referred to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 58 nonpregnant women, 22 pregnant women in the first trimester, 52 in second, and 44 in the third trimester. The plasma ferritin concentration of these samples was measured by chemiluminescence assay, while the plasma transferrin, TIBC, and iron concentrations were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Plasma ferritin levels 15 mu;g/L were considered ID. Results: The overall prevalence of ID in pregnant women was 33.1%. However, the prevalence of ID was 29.3%, 22.7%, 34.6%, and 36.4% among nonpregnant women, women in the first trimester, second and third trimester, respectively. The mean ±SEM iron levels were significantly higher among pregnant women compared to nonpregnant women (p=0.004). There was no significant difference in the mean ±SEM of plasma ferritin, transferrin and TIBC concentrations between pregnant and nonpregnant women (p 0.05). Nevertheless, the mean ±SEM plasma iron, ferritin, and UIBC significantly differed across the gestational ages of pregnant women (p 0.05). Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of ID during pregnancy, which increases with the trimester of affected women. Healthcare interventional measures that can address ID are recommended.
Keywords :
Nutritional disorder , Iron metabolism , Anemia , Pregnancy , Nigeria
