Evaluation of Iron Status, Haemoglobin and Protein Levels of Pregnant Women in Owerri Metropolis
I. L. Okoroiwu
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Jane Ugochi Chinedu-Madu
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
C. C. N. Vincent
Department of Nursing Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
O. M. T. B. Ochiabuto
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Adaobi Maryann Ibekwe
Department of Nursing Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Chukwudi Ofodile Amaechi
Department of Nursing Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Chekwube C. Agu
Department of Nursing Science, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Nonyelum Vivian Anoh
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Nkiruka Millicent Amadi
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study was done to determine iron status, haemoglobin and protein levels of pregnant women in owerri metropolis. A total of 100 pregnant women were recruited for this study. The mean Hb levels in group 1, group 2, and group 3· were 12.00±1.68g/dl, 10.06±1.J4g/dl and 10.96±1.19g/dl respectively. The mean Serum ferritin level of group 1 was 67.00±88.38ng/ml, group 2, 52.48±52.47ng/ml and group 3, 51.26±48.70ng/ml. The mean Serum iron in group 1, 2 and 3 were 46.72±16.41 g/dl, 79.59±63.24 g/dl and 83.35±53.04 g/dl respectively. In group 1, 2 and 3 the mean results. ( g/dl) of TIBC were 295.58 ± 109.53, 324.06 ± 178.00 and 319.88 ± 92.95 and % T.S (%) were 18.78 ± 11.77,26.59 ± 19.40 and 17.97 ± 10.87 percent respectively. The mean total protein was group 1,6.83±l1.77g/dl, group 2,6.39±0.70g/dl and group 3, 6.39 ±0.98 g/dl while the mean albumin (g/dl) in group 1, 2 and 3 were 4.84±0.47, 4.13±0.28 and 4.14±0.29 respectively. The mean values of globulin (g/dl) were 1.98 ± 0.91, 2.29 ± 0.87 and 1.89 ± 0.90 in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. As gestational age increased; serum ferritin, total protein, and albumin levels decreased while serum" iron and TIBC increased. The differences in the mean results between the groups were statistically significant (p<0.05) while % T.S and globulin levels when compared showed no significant difference (p>0.05). Iron status showed no statistical difference with increasing parity (p>0.05). However, from this study iron deficiency anaemia was most prevalent in second trimester; hence iron status estimation should be an integral part of routine antenatal care test during second trimester of each pregnancy for proper assessment and management of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy.
Keywords: Iron status, haemoglobin, protein, pregnant women