SERUM ANTIOXIDANT MICRONUTRIENT LEVELS IN PRE-ECLAMPTIC PREGNANT WOMEN IN ENUGU, SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a common obstetric complication of pregnancy in
Nigeria, and oxidative stress has been implicated in the aetio-pathogenesis of this disease
of pregnancy. Despite this fact, there is paucity of information regarding the serum status
of antioxidant micronutrients of pre-eclamptic Nigerian women.
Objective: To determine the serum status of certain antioxidant micronutrients (copper,
zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese) in pre-eclamptic women in Enugu, South
Eastern, Nigeria.
Method: The study was cross-sectional analytical in design. The study was carried out at
the ante-natal/booking clinics, labour, antenatal and special care wards of University of
Nigeria, Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu. The sera of 81 pre-eclamptic and 81
matched controls (healthy pregnant women) were analyzed for antioxidant micronutrients
(Cu, Se, Zn, Mn, Mg) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (ASS). Data analysis was descriptive and inferential using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS)
version 21.0 for windows. P value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
Results: The mean serum values of copper, selenium and magnesium were significantly
lower in pre-eclamptics when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The mean serum
manganese did not differ between the pre-eclamptic (0.096) and control (0.164).
However, the pre-eclamptic women were more likely to be deficient for manganese when
compared to normal pregnant women [OR= 2.28(CI 95% 1.90 – 2.75), P<0.001] .
Furthermore, all the micro-nutrient studied did not vary by category of pre-eclampsia
except manganese which was significantly lower in women with mild pre-eclampsia
when compare to severe pre-eclamptics (P= 0.043)
Conclusion: The serum levels of copper, selenium and magnesium were significantly
lower among pre-eclamptics when compared to normal healthy controls and trace
element deficiency was common among both normal and pre-eclamptic pregnant women
in Enugu, Nigeria. Supplementation with micronutrient antioxidants may reduce
incidence of pre-eclampsia in our environment.

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SERUM ANTIOXIDANT MICRONUTRIENT LEVELS IN PRE-ECLAMPTIC PREGNANT WOMEN IN ENUGU, SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA