Assessment of serum total protein, albumin and calcium in pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a normal physiological phenomenon with many biochemical changes including calcium metabolism. Calcium requirement increases during pregnancy, thereby increasing the chances of developing hypocalcaemia and hypoalbuminaemia.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess serum levels of total protein, albumin, and calcium among pregnant women in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital Maiduguri, Borno State.

Methodology: A total of two hundred (200) subjects were recruited for this study. One hundred and twenty (120) are confirmed pregnant women and 80 non pregnant women age matched were used as controls, out of the 120 pregnant women that participated in the study, 30 were in first trimester, 50 were in second trimester and 40 were in third trimester. Blood chemistry analysis was conducted spectrophotometrically using Biurets method (For Total protein), Bromocresol green method (for Albumin) and O-Cresolphthalein complex one (for calcium).

Results: The results show a significant lower value of calcium and albumin (p<0.05) among first trimester pregnant women when compared to the control subjects. The results show a significant decrease in calcium and albumin (p<0.05) among second trimester pregnant women when compared to control subjects. The results show a significant lower value in calcium and albumin (p<0.05) among third trimester pregnant women when compared to control subjects. The results between 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester pregnant women subjects show a significant difference in calcium and albumin (p<0.05), but there were no significant differences in total protein (p>0.05). The result shows no significant difference in total protein level (p> 0.005)among the first trimester pregnant women when compared to the control subjects. It also shows no any significant difference in total protein level (p> 0.005) among the third trimester pregnant women when compared to the control subjects.

Conclusion: There is reduction or decrease in calcium and albumin levels in pregnant women especially in the third trimester.

Key words: Pregnancy; Total Protein; Albumin; Calcium