Review of biochemical bone markers in sickle cell disease

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol. 4(1&2) 2005: 1-1

Interpretation of Chemical Pathology Test Results in Paediatrics

At any time we interprete paediatric chemical pathology test results we must take into consideration a number of factors, which are related with and restricted to paediatric patients. Such factors include the paediatric patient's age that may change from prematurity to above 18 years, and the paediatric patient's body weight can vary from 500 grams (gm) to more than 60 kilograms (kg). The mass of the body of the paediatric patient can also in some circumstances or conditions be a factor, especially for example, obesity in childhood. A paediatric patient is not a miniature adult patient, but as a paediatric patient gets older and becomes mature his or her metabolic processes and the body biochemistry become more like that of the grown-up. In addition to the paediatric subject's or patient's non-controllable variables or factors are the effects of controllable variables or factors, which include; blood sample collection process, method of sample analyses or measurement techniques, are the basis for the reference interval or range that are often cited with the test result, and the explanation or interpretation, which are often given to the test result by the chemical pathologist or the laboratory physician. Key words: age-dependent, prematurity, puberty

Biochemical markers, extracellular components in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis

No Abstract. Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine Vol. 17 (1) 2007: pp. 42-5

Chemical Pathology Laboratory Tests in Pregnancy

Normal healthy pregnancy causes normal physiological adjustments in all the organs and systems of the body apart from the anatomical and physiological changes, which chiefly involve the genital tract and the breast of the female body. Most of these adjustments revert to normal after delivery. The physiological changes range from adjustments in electrolyte levels to more complicated adaptations in hormone metabolism and to calcium metabolism. Thus, chemical pathology laboratory investigative test results during normal healthy pregnancy show significant differences from the normal reference intervals or ranges (i.e. non-pregnant woman's reference intervals or ranges) thereby causing misinterpretation as inappropriate or odd. This wrong interpretation of the chemical pathology laboratory test results in pregnant woman may lead to unwarranted and possibly risky management or treatment interventions. It is advisable that the obstetricians should consult the chemical pathologist or laboratory physician where there is suspicion about a laboratory test result from a pregnant woman. This is to clarify if the laboratory test result reflects the physiological changes, which occurred in the course of the pregnancy. Where the test result is correct or diagnostic of a disease condition further analysis or examination and therapeutic measures may then be advised or suggested.Keywords: Endocrine changes, kidney hepatic, thyroid function tests

Plasma Fibronectin Concentration in Obese/Overweight Pregnant Women: A Possible Risk Factor for Preeclampsia

Plasma fibronectin (FN) levels in obese/overweight and non-obese pregnant women were evaluated as a possible risk factor for preeclampsia. A total of one hundred and sixty three pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital participated in the study and sixty non-pregnant women served as control. About 77 (47.24%) of the pregnant women were followed up for any subsequent development of preeclampsia during the pregnancy. Fibronectin levels in plasma were measured by ELISA assay and serum total protein, urea and creatinine were determined spectrophotometrically. The mean plasma FN concentration of non-obese pregnant women in first trimester was lower than those of the non-pregnant women by 24%, but however, increased to the non-pregnant level in second and third trimesters. Obese/overweight pregnant women had significantly (P < 0.05) higher values than non-obese pregnant women in second and third trimesters. FN in obese/overweight pregnant women correlated positively with mean arterial blood pressure (MAP: r = 0.414, P = 0.04). About 28.57% of the pregnant women with FN above cut off point of 330 μg/ml at 18–24 weeks of gestation developed preeclampsia. This value increased to 40.0% when only the obese/overweight women were considered. On analysis of both fibronectin >330 μg/ml and MAP > 90, the predictive value increased to 66.7%. We therefore conclude that elevated FN may be regarded as a risk factor of preeclampsia especially among the obese women