Serum Levels of Some Nutritional, Hepatic and Renal Markers in Third Trimester Pregnant Women

Purpose: Nutritional status, before and during pregnancy, is a strong determinant of health outcomes in the mother and newborn, and can affect the foetal structure, physiology and metabolism. Maternal health, hepato-renal function, as well as calcium and magnesium levels during pregnancy are closely related, and have a great effect on the infant health outcome. The study was aimed at assessing serum levels of some nutritional parameters (total protein, albumin, calcium and magnesium), hepatic (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase) and renal (urea, creatinine) biomarkers and relate them with neonatal birth weight.

Methods/Participants: Forty pregnant women in the third trimester (29 weeks to term) attending antenatal clinics for the first time, at two maternity centres within Osogbo metropolis were recruited as test participants. Forty age-matched, non-pregnant women served as control. Serum obtained from 5 mL of blood was used for the analyses. Inductive Computerized Plasma Emission Spectrometry was used for elemental study. Standard photometric methods were used to assay hepatic and renal parameters. Some pregnancy outcomes were also determined. Data were analyzed using Student’s t test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. P≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: It was revealed that at third trimester some nutritional parameters (total protein, albumin, iron, calcium) were significantly decreased while renal biomarkers and alkaline phosphatase showed significant increase compared with control. Low birth weight but no still birth was observed.

Conclusion: The significant decrease in levels of albumin and some nutritional parameters suggests inadequate nutrient intake of protein and minerals or confirms increased demand commonly linked with pregnancy; and may be a possible cause of low birth weight.