Effect of trace elements in the immune system of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in alex ekwueme federal university teaching hospital

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Original Article

Author Details : Onweh DA*, Edeogu CO , Okezie AO , Ogbodo EC , Nwanguma DE , Oguaka VN , Onyegbule OA , Aikpitanyi-Iduitua GA , Izuchukwu ECO

Volume : 8, Issue : 4, Year : 2021

Article Page : 181-189

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.jchm.2021.040

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Abstract

Copper, iron, selenium and zinc are important trace elements during pregnancy. They function as antioxidants and play major roles in strengthening the immune system. This study evaluates the importance of these trace elements in the immune system and their concentrations during pregnancy. These trace elements were evaluated using 75 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki as Test participants and 75 non-pregnant women were used as control participants. The analysis was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The socio-demographic, Obstetrics and Gynaecological characteristics of the participants were obtained using questionnaire. A cross-sectional comparative study design was adopted for this. The results showed that the mean and standard deviation (M±SD) in mg / l of the test and control of trace elements (copper, iron, selenium and zinc) are; 0.13±0.03 and 0.38±0.03, 0.48±0.07 and 0.82±0.09, 0.86±0.11 and 0.94±0.07, 0.52±0.07 and 0.52±0.05 respectively. Also mean levels of Cu and Fe were significantly decreased in the pregnant women than in control (p=<0 p=0.575;>  

Keywords: Pregnant women, Trace elements, Trimester, Age, Parity, Copper, Iron, Selenium, Zinc

How to cite : Onweh Da, Edeogu Co, Okezie Ao, Ogbodo Ec, Nwanguma De, Oguaka Vn, Onyegbule Oa, Aikpitanyi-iduitua Ga, Eco I, Effect of trace elements in the immune system of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in alex ekwueme federal university teaching hospital. J Community Health Manag 2021;8(4):181-189

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