ABSTRACT
Background: Gradual alteration of serum copper and some plasma protein levels may occur with advancement of pregnancy, which is associated with increased maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Objective: To observe serum copper and plasma protein levels in normal pregnant women of different trimesters in order to find out their nutritional status. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC), Dhaka, between 1st January 2010 and December 2010. Ninety normal pregnant women of different trimesters with age 20-30 years were included in the study group. They were selected from Out Patient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SSMC. Age matched 30 non-pregnant women were taken as control. Serum copper level was measured by Spectrophotometric method, serum total protein and albumin levels were estimated by standard method. Statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA, Bonferroni and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test as applicable. Results: Serum Cu levels were significantly higher in all trimesters of pregnant women compared to control. Again, this value was significantly higher in 3rd trimester than that of in 1st and 2nd trimester and also in 2nd trimester than that of in 1st trimester. In addition, mean serum total protein level was significantly lower in 3rd trimester than control but no statistically significant difference was observed among different trimesters. Again, mean serum albumin level was significantly lower in 2nd and 3rd trimester than 1st trimester and control. In addition, serum Cu concentration showed significant positive correlation with different trimesters of gestation. Conclusion: This study reveals that hypercupremia along with hypoproteinemia occur in pregnant women from 1st to 3rd trimester of gestation. This gradual alteration of micro and macronutrients become more profound with advancement of pregnancy.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypozincemia may be found in different trimesters of pregnancy. Gradual alteration of this micronutrient status during pregnancy is associated with increased maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Objective: To measure serum zinc level of pregnant women in different trimesters in order to find out their micronutrient status. Method: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka between 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2010. 90 normal pregnant women, age ranged from 20 to 30 years were included in the study group (Group-B) which was further divided into group B1 consisting of 30 different pregnant women in 1st trimester, group B2 consisting of 30 different pregnant women in 2nd trimester and group B3 consisting of 30 different pregnant women in 3rd trimester. Age matched 30 apparently healthy nonpregnant women (Group A) were also selected by for comparison. Serum zinc level was measured by Spectrophotometric method and serum total protein and albumin levels were estimated by standard laboratory technique. Statistical analysis was done by using ANOVA & Spearman rank Correlation as applicable. Result: In this study, serum Zn level was significantly lower in 1st (p<0.01), 2nd and 3rd trimester (p<0.001) of pregnant women in comparison to that of non-pregnant women. Again, this value was significantly (p<0.001) lower in 3rd trimester than those of 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnant women. Moreover, serum Zn concentration showed negative correlation (r=-0.621) with different trimesters of gestation and this correlation was statistically significant (p< 0.001). Conclusion: This study reveals that gradual hypozincemia was observed in pregnant women from 1st to 3rd trimester of gestation.