2 research outputs found
Nutritional Factors Associated with Anaemia in Pregnant Women in Northern Nigeria
This study was conducted to assess the relative contribution of iron, folate, and B12 deficiency to anaemia in pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. In total, 146 pregnant women, who attended two antenatal clinics in Gombe, Nigeria, were recruited into the study. The majority (54%) of the women were in the third trimester. Blood samples were obtained for determination of haematocrit and for measurement of serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine. Malaria was present in 15 (9.4%) women. Based on a haemoglobin value of <105 g/L, 44 (30%) women were classified as anaemic. The major contributing factor to anaemia was iron deficiency based on the serum concentration of ferritin (<10 ng/mL). The mean homocysteine concentration for all subjects was 14.1 μmol/L, and homocysteine concentrations were inversely correlated with concentrations of folate and vitamin B12. The serum homocysteine increased markedly at serum vitamin B12 levels below 250 pmol/L. The most common cause of anaemia in the pregnant women in northern Nigeria was iron deficiency, and the elevated concentrations of homocysteine were most likely due to both their marginal folate and vitamin B12 status
Nutritional Factors Associated with Anaemia in Pregnant Women in Northern Nigeria
This study was conducted to assess the relative contribution of iron,
folate, and B12 deficiency to anaemia in pregnant women in sub-Saharan
Africa. In total, 146 pregnant women, who attended two antenatal
clinics in Gombe, Nigeria, were recruited into the study. The majority
(54%) of the women were in the third trimester. Blood samples were
obtained for determination of haematocrit and for measurement of serum
iron, total iron-binding capacity, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, and
homocysteine. Malaria was present in 15 (9.4%) women. Based on a
haemoglobin value of <105 g/L, 44 (30%) women were classified as
anaemic. The major contributing factor to anaemia was iron deficiency
based on the serum concentration of ferritin (<10 ng/mL). The mean
homocysteine concentration for all subjects was 14.1 \ub5mol/L, and
homocysteine concentrations were inversely correlated with
concentrations of folate and vitamin B12. The serum homocysteine
increased markedly at serum vitamin B12 levels below 250 pmol/L. The
most common cause of anaemia in the pregnant women in northern Nigeria
was iron deficiency, and the elevated concentrations of homocysteine
were most likely due to both their marginal folate and vitamin B12
status