ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Trace element selenium, an antioxidant, and peroxynitrite scavenger when incorporated into selenoproteins and enzymes reduce oxidative stress which is implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. A paucity of information exists on the serum selenium levels among pre-eclamptic pregnant women in Nigeria, hence the need for this study. OBJECTIVE: To compare mean serum selenium levels and prevalence of selenium deficiency in preeclamptic pregnant women and their normotensive pregnant controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative case-control study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo state. Fifty-eight preeclamptic and equal normotensive pregnant controls were matched for age groups, gestational age groups, parity groups, and socio-economic status had their serum samples analyzed for selenium level using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (ASS). Data analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. P-value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULT: Mean serum selenium levels of the preeclamptic women(0.67±0.27µmol/l) was significantly (p<0.001) lower than that of the normotensive controls(1.20±0.46µmol/l). Selenium deficiency occurred significantly more in preeclamptic women (33(56.9%) than normotensive women (10(17.2%). Pearson's coefficient analysis showed negative correlation between serum selenium level with severity of systolic blood pressure (Correlation Coefficient (r) = -0.593), diastolic blood pressure(r = -0.519) and severity of preeclampsia(r = -0.598). CONCLUSION: Serum selenium levels of pre-eclamptic women were significantly lower compared to that of normotensive pregnant controls and selenium deficiency occurred significantly more among the preeclamptic pregnant women compared to the normotensive controls. Selenium level dynamics in pregnancy possibly could play a role in the incidence of pre-eclampsia among pregnant women.
Subject(s)
Pre-Eclampsia/blood , Selenium/blood , Adult , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Case-Control Studies , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Male , Nigeria , Pregnancy , Pregnant Women , Trace Elements/blood , Young AdultABSTRACT
Hydatidiform mole co-existing with a normal fetus is very rare. We report a case of a 36 year old woman Para 4+0 who presented with amenorrhoea of twenty four weeks duration, vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain and pre-eclampsia. Ultrasound examination revealed a hydatidiform mole coexisting with a normal living fetus. The patient underwent a caesarean section at twenty eight weeks for maternal distress due to unbearable abdominal pain. The baby died after seven days. Post operatively she had an eclamptic fit and developed oliguria and persistent trophoblastic disease which were all successfully treated.