EVALUATION OF SERIAL SERUM FERRITIN AND PACKED CELL VOLUME (PCV) IN NIGERIAN SUBURBAN ANTENATAL WOMEN WITH IRON DEFICIENCY(ID) IN DETERMINING THEIR RESPONSE TO ORAL IRON THERAPY

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Anaemia in pregnancy is a global problem but it is more prevalent in the developing countries and is associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia in pregnancy.Inadequate iron intake can lead to varying degrees of deficiency;from low iron stores to early iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia.Serum ferritin is the single best non invasive test and is a very useful and reliable index of iron stores especially in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to evaluate the serial serum ferritin and packed cell volume amongst antenatal women with iron deficiency in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in determining their response to oral iron prophylaxis.METHODOLOGY

A total of 345 pregnant women with iron deficiency were recruited as subjects in this study at first trimester within the age range of 17 and 41 years in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. Peripheral venous blood were obtained at booking in first trimester,they were subsequently commenced on 200mg of ferrous sulphate at booking,then a repeat peripheral venous blood sampling was done between 24-26 weeks and 34-36 weeks.PCV was tested using microhaematocrit reader after centrifugation while serum ferritin was tested using ELIZA method.Data was analysed using SPSS version 16.0.Tables,charts and other statistical parameters were used to present the results.

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RESULTS

The mean age (SD) of the participants was 27± 5.47 years.The prevalence of ID ,IDA and anaemia in this study were 46.5%,38.5% and 83% respectively. Most of the participants had mild anaemia(70%),moderate(10%) and severe anaemia(3%).The prevalence of anaemia in second and third trimester declined to 42% and 36% respectively. A significant association was noted between serum ferritin at booking and parity(p=0.005).There was strong association between serum ferritin at booking and the gestational age at booking(p=0.000),prebooking haematinics and second trimester serum ferritin(p=0.000).There was significant positive relationship between booking PCV and booking serum ferritin levels, r(343)=0.35,p= 0.000.There was very weak negative correlation between second trimester PCV and second trimester serum ferritin levels, r(343)=0.01,p=0.795 while the third trimester values were r(343)=0.08 and p=0.133 respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that there is high prevalence of anaemia and IDA in ISTH and its environs. It also showed that early commencement of oral iron prophylaxis improved both serum ferritin and PCV of antenatal women with ID. Packed cell volume showed a variable relationship with serum ferritin levels.

EVALUATION OF SERIAL SERUM FERRITIN AND PACKED CELL VOLUME (PCV) IN NIGERIAN SUBURBAN ANTENATAL WOMEN WITH IRON DEFICIENCY(ID) IN DETERMINING THEIR RESPONSE TO ORAL IRON THERAPY