Parity related changes in obesity and some antioxidant vitamins in non-pregnant women of South-Eastern Nigeria

Background: The delivery of many children at short interval is associated with micronutrient depletion and weight gain. However, the relationship between the levels of the micronutrients and the body weight is yet to be ascertained.Objectives: To determine the relationship between parity, body weight and some antioxidant vitamins in non-pregnant Nigerian women.Patients and Methods: Randomly recruited 200 non-pregnant women, comprising 82 primiparous and 118 multiparous women completed the study. Their age, parity, mid-arm circumference (MAC), waist circumference (WC), weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were determined. The serum levels of vitamins A, C and E were assayed using standardmethods.Results: The mean BMI, WC and MAC of the multiparous subjects (parity = 3.0 ± 0.58) were significantly higher than that of the primiparous subjects (parity = 1), (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.01 respectively). Furthermore, there were statistically significant decrease in the vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E in multiparous compared with the primiparous women (P < 0.005, P < 0.05 and P < 0.005), respectively.Conclusion: Multiparty enhances weight gain, but depletes antioxidant vitamin micronutrients in non-pregnant Nigerian women

Assessment of Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure among University Students in, Enugu, South East, Nigeria

Body Mass Index (BMI) has been described as a significant predictor of Blood Pressure (B.P) but few studies have demonstrated this associationin our environment. The study aims to determine the pattern of relationship between BMI and blood pressure in our environment Two thousand and ninety six (2096) students in two Universities located in Enugu, South East Nigeria completed the study. The blood pressure, weightand height were measured. Body mass index was calculated as weight in Kilograms divided by height in meters square (kg/m ). More females than males were underweight (9.4% versus 4.7%). More males than females were overweight (8% versus 4%).Obesity occurred more in males than females (7% versus 0.9%).Blood pressure parameters increased significantly with BMI (

The role of some micronutrients (eldervit) in the management of anaemic pregnant Nigerian women: A preliminary report

CONTEXT: Anaemia continues to be a leading contributor to adverse reproductive outcomes in the developing countries. Although, the commonest cause of anaemia in pregnancy is iron deficiency, the enormous contributions of other micronutrients have been underestimated. As a result, the need to identify relevant micronutrients, whichcomplement iron, in haematopoiesis cannot be over emphasized.OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of some micronutrients  (Cyanocobalamin, {B12}2500ìg, folic acid 0.7mg, niacin12mg and ascorbic acid 150mg; Eldervit-12) on some haematological parameters of anaemic pregnant women.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: ONE hundred and sixty two (162) anaemic pregnant women aged between 18-38 years were recruited into the study, and randomly divided into two groups. The test group was given two weeklyEldervit-12 injections intramuscularly, and the control group was given placebo (water for injection). Packed cell volume (PCV), reticulocyte count, white cell count and platelet count were estimated before and at the end of the injections using established methods. Student t-test was used to determine test for significance between the groups.RESULTS: The PCV increased significantly from 25.9± 2.2% and 26.2± 2.2% to 37.3% ± 2.6% and 32.4%± 1.9% respectively for test and control (P< 0.001). The PCV increase was however, significantly higher in the test when compared with the control (P< 0.001). The reticulocyte count also increased significantly from 2.2% ± 0.7% and 2.3%± 0.7% to 4.7%V 0.8 % and 2.9% ± 0.7 % respectively for test and control (P<0.001). But the test showed a more significant increase than the control (P< 0.001). There were no significant differences in the WBC and platelet counts (P> 0.05).CONCLUSION: Additional micronutrients play a vital role in the management of anaemia in pregnancy. Efforts should be made to qualify and quantify these in other to obtain the actual daily requirements.Key words (Anaemia, Pregnancy, Micronutrients, Haematological parameters.

Copper and selenium status of healthy pregnant women in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria

Background: Copper and selenium are important trace elements in man. They function as antioxidants and play roles in oxido-reductase reactions. Several imported multivitamin preparations are given to our women during pregnancy and lactation to correct possible deficiencies.Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the serum level of these micronutrients (selenium and copper) in a cross section of pregnant women in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A cross section of 130 healthy pregnant women at different trimesters of pregnancy and 30 non-pregnant controls were selected from two health facilities in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria. Serum from the samples collected was assayed for copper and selenium using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results: The mean copper level increased (P = 0.018), while the selenium level decreased (P < 0.0001) as pregnancy advanced.Conclusion: High copper levels indicate that supplementation should not be undertaken during normal pregnancy. Dietary intake should be modified to ensure optimal selenium levels during pregnancy

The Effect Of Potassium Bromate On Some Haematological Parameters Of Wistar Rats

Summary: Potassium bromate used widely in foods has been associated with various complications in humans. However there is paucity of literature on adverse effects on haematological parameters. Thus we decided tocarry out an experimental study to determine the effects of potassium bromate on some blood indices using Wister rats. Twenty (20) male Wister rats aged 2-3 months obtained from the department of VeterinaryMedicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka were acclimatized for two weeks. They were divided into five groups and fed with graded doses of potassium bromate solution for six weeks. One of the groups served as the control.Pre and post administration blood samples were collected and analyzed the same day using standard methods. The results revealed significant decrease in the platelet count when compared with the controls (

Reduced Maternal Selenium levels in Pregnant and Lactating Nigerian women: Should Routine Selenium Supplementation be advocated?

Background: Deficiencies in micronutrients are common in our environment, leading to indiscriminate replacement strategies. Selenium is an antioxidant micronutrient that may undergo depletion during pregnancy and lactation. Regrettably, information in this matter is scanty in Nigeria. Objectives: To determine maternal selenium concentration during pregnancy and lactation. Methods: This was a cross-sectional research involving 120 pregnant women, 40 in each trimester. They were attending antenatal clinic of one tertiary and two secondary health care facilities in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria. Control subjects constitute age, parity and socioeconomic matched 35 apparently healthy, non pregnant women. Serum selenium concentration was measured during pregnancy and postpartum. Breast milk selenium concentration was also determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results: The mean serum selenium levels were significantly decreased (P<0.0001) in pregnancy when compared with non-pregnant control subjects; also as pregnancy progressed. However, there was a non significant increase immediately after birth. In the breast milk, selenium concentration significantly decreased (P<0.0001) as lactation progressed. Conclusion: The observed significant decreases in the levels of selenium during pregnancy and breast milk may leave the mothers and their neonates at risk and, therefore, may necessitate maternal supplementation. Dietary intervention such as food diversification and bio-fortification is recommended to improve dietary selenium intakes in pregnant and lactating mothers, and infants in this region. Keywords: Selenium, pregnancy, postpartum, breast milk, mothers, Enugu Nigeri

Evaluation of serum uric acid levels in normal pregnant Nigerian women

No Abstract

Atherogenic index of plasma as useful predictor of cardiovascular risk among postmenopausal women in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Menopausal health in our environment has received little attention. As an independent risk factor for dyslipidaemia, the degree and pattern of derangement, though difficult to assess may adversely affect the cardiovascular health of our women. Objectives: To estimate the serum lipid profile and the atherogenic index of plasma in normal post menopausal women. Methods: This is a cross sectional study involving 80 apparently healthy women voluntarily recruited from staff of the University of Nigeria and the Teaching Hospital (iJNTH) located in Enugu. They include 50 postmenopausal subjects aged between 50 and 70 years and 30 premenopausal controls aged between 25 and 49 years. Total cholesterol (TC), and the various subfractions ;high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were determined. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP); log (TG/HDIrC) was calculated. Results: There were statistically significant increases (P< 0.0001) in TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and AIP but a statistically significant decrease (P<0.0001) in HDL-C in postmenopausal women when compared with the premenopausal subjects. Except HDIrC that showed insignificant reduction, there were statistically significant derangement of other lipid subfractions as the duration of menopause increased. Conclusion: Menopause, no doubt alters lipid profile. A triglyceride based index (AIP) can significantly add value when assessing the risk of developing atherosclerosis in Nigeria

Serum Calcium, Inorganic Phosphates and some Haematological Parameters in Sickle Cell Disease in Enugu Metropolis

Objectives: Sickle cell disease has long been associated with bone deformities and pain. Mineral salts such as calcium and inorganic phosphate are critical in bone formation and metabolism. This investigation was designed to study the serum concentration of these minerals as well as some haematological parameters in persons who suffer from sickle cell disease. Methods: Forty five patients who have sickle cell disease (HbSS) attending the sickle cell clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, were recruited for the study after obtaining informed consent. Twenty healthy persons (HbAA) served as controls. Serum calcium level was determined by EDTA titration, inorganic phosphate by spectrophotometric method of Goldberg and the Haematological parameters by Bain method. Results: The age range of both test subjects and controls was 3 to 26 years. There were no significant differences in calcium and inorganic phosphate levels of test and control subjects (p>0.05). There were however, significant differences when values of haematological parameters were compared in tests and control subjects (