Determination of antioxidant status of pre-eclamptic and normotensive sub-rural Nigerian pregnant women at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the antioxidant levels of subrural Nigerian population where pre-eclampsia and eclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality.

METHODS

Prospective case control study done at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria. Plasma level of vitamin C and E were evaluated in 80 pre-eclamptic patientswhich were compared with normotensive 80 pregnant women matched as controls.

RESULTS

Pre-eclampsia was associated with significant reduction in levels of vitamin C and E (p < 0.05). However, the correlation between the blood pressure (severity) and reduction in antioxidants level was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Pre-eclampsia at Irrua in Nigeria is associated with significant reduction in plasma antioxidants level similar to some reports from the other parts of the world.