Establishment Of A Local Biochemical Reference Range: Jos University Teaching Hospital Experience

Objective: The objective is to establish a local biochemical reference range for neonates in Jos environment. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and fifty normal full term babies were studied at birth for the purpose of establishing reference values for calcium, inorganic phosphate, Alkaline phosphatase, total protein and Albumin. The babies were selected from major delivery centers in Jos and the collection span fro fifteen months. Exclusion criteria for the selection includes apgar score of less than 6/10, birth weight of less than 2.6kg and obvious signs of distress at birth.. Result: The results of the analysis of the cord blood samples were as follows:- Calcium (mean = 2.4mmol/L and range 2.0 = 2.8 mmol/L) iorganic phosphate, (mean 1.6 mmol/L and range 1.1 = 2.1 mmol/L) Alkaline phosphates (mean 52 IU/L and range 30 = 74 IU/L) total protein (mean 67 g/L and range 59 – 76 g/L) albumin (mean 33 g/L and range 28 – 38 g/L). Conclusion: There has been no previous studies on these variables in our environment, hence these figures can be taken as the local biochemical reference range of this age group. This is to enable us interpret our laboratory data more meaningfully. This is vital for us to be able to manage effectively the metabolic disorders involving these variables in neonatal period in our environment. . Key words: Reference value, neonate, environment. Highland Medical Research Journal Vol.1(1) 2002: 17-2

Distribution Of Serum T3/T4 Quotient In Euthyroid Goitrous Subject In Nigeria- A Probable Biochemical Marker Of Goiter Endemia

Objective. To determine the relationship between the serum levels of (T4) thyroxin, (T3) Tri-iodothyronine, and (TSH) Thyrotropin versus the goiter size in an endemic euthyroid goitrous subject. Materials and Methods. Serum levels of thyroxin (T4), Tri-iodothyronine(T3), and thyrotrophin (TSH) were determined by “ELISA” technique in 58 adult euthyroid goitrous subjects with various grades of endemic giotre, and in 42 adult normal subjects used as control. Findings. The serum thyroxin (T4) levels were depressed to a low normal range in most of the subjects with advanced goitre, while Tri-iodothyronine (T3) levels were in the high normal to supra normal region. Thyroid size was found to bear a negative correlation with serum Thyroxin (T4) levels levels(r = 0.6; p=0.05) and positive correlation with Tri-iodothyronine(T3) levels (r = 0.8; p=0.001), as well as with serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentration (r = 0.9; p-0.001). The serum T3/T4 ratio showed a strong positive correlation with the size of the enlarged thyroids in this group of patient, (r = 0.8; p=0.001). Conclusion. The findings suggest that the serum T3/T4 ratio in the euthyroid goitrous subjects may probably be used as a valuable biochemical indicator in the epidemiological assessment of endemic goiytre in a population Highland Medical Research Journal Vol.2(1) 2004: 17-2