ABSTRACT
Background: Definition of iron deficiency anaemia could be problematic in areas where iron deficiency co-exists with infection. Aim: This study was aimed at providing the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy in Port Harcourt and to examine the diagnostic role of serum iron indicators and C- reactive protein in defining iron deficiency anaemia. Methods: Iron status indicators; serum iron; TIBC; percentage transferrin saturation; serum ferritin; haemoglobin concentration and C-reactive protein were assessed in 1;371 pregnant women and 60 age-matched non-pregnant controls using standard colorimetric; immunoassay and serologic procedures. Results: Iron deficiency anaemia was present in 5of our apparently healthy non-pregnant women and in 8.9of the pregnant women. Iron deficiency (ferritin 12 ng/ml) accounted for 15of anaemia in the control group and 18.0of anaemia in the pregnant women. Elevated C-reactive protein (20 mg/l) was found to be common with the anaemic pregnant women (40.2) compared with 6.7among non-pregnant control group (p0.0001). The Hb; serum iron; TIBC;transferrin saturation and serum ferritin levels in anaemic pregnant women were found to be significantly lower than the non-pregnant control group (p0.0001) while the C-reactive protein level in the anaemic pregnant women was significantly higher than the non-pregnant control group (p0.0001). Conclusion: The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among apparently pregnant women in this locality is high. Part of the contributory factor may be infection or inflammation; hence; ferritin alone may not reliably define anaemia in pregnancy. A combination of haemoglobin concentration; transferrin saturation and serum ferritin concentration should form a regular practice in order to assist in reducing the incidence of anaemia in pregnancy
Subject(s)
Anemia , C-Reactive Protein , PregnancyABSTRACT
Background: Premarital screening is fast gaining grounds as a pre-requisite condition for the solemnization of holy matrimony by many faith based organizations in Nigeria yet there is scanty literature on the subject.Methods: Fifty (50) premarital heterosexual couples (50 males and 50 females) were screened for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); haemoglobin genotypes; ABO and Rh blood groups using standard laboratory procedures.Results:The prevalence of HIV in this study was found to be 2.0. The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotypes were as follows; HbAA (72); HbAS (26) and HbAC (2.0) while that of ABO and Rh blood groups were: group A (22); B (14); AB (0); 0 (64); Rh 'D' Positive (96) and Rh 'D' Negative (4.0). The distribution of these variables between the sexes was statistically significant. (?2 = 21.630; p 0.01). The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotype combinations of the intending couples were as follows; HbAA/AA (52); AA/AS (36); AA/AC (4.0) and AS/AS (8.0). This distribution pattern was also found to be highly statistically significant (? 2