Determination of antioxidant status of pre-eclamptic and normotensive sub-rural Nigerian pregnant women at the Irrua specialist teaching hospital, Irrua, Edo State

Abstract

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.

Keywords::

• Antioxidants
• mortality
• preeclampsia

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Notice of correction:

This paper was published online on 2 May, 2012 containing errors. Two inline tables in the methods section and the declaration of interests were missing. The errors have been corrected in this version of the paper. The authors and publisher would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.