Essential Trace Element Status of Pregnant Women with Pregnancy Complication History in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Essential trace elements are catalytic substances needed by the human body in small amount. The objective of this study was to determine the serum levels of selected essential trace elements (copper, zinc, iron and selenium) in pregnant women with history of pregnancy complications in Benin City, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods for blood. Sample collection and analysed by EAAS. Result showed that pregnant women with complications history had blood mean (mean ± SEM) levels of Copper (µg/l) =107.47± 0.18, Zinc (µg/l) = 86.19 ± 0.41, Iron (µg/l) = 108.50 ± 0.18 and Selenium (µg/l)=42.13± 0.39; while those without complications history had blood mean levels of Copper=125.65 ± 1.60, Zinc =91.91± 0.84, Iron=112.26± 0.33 and Selenium=46.47± 0.32.The non-pregnant women who never had complications in their previous pregnancies had blood mean levels of Copper =129.91± 1.49, Zinc=108.08± 0.52, Iron=136.58± 0.80 and Selenium=51.32 ± 0.10. Pregnant women with complications history recorded very high significant reduction (P<0.001) in the essential trace elements mean values compared to pregnant and non-pregnant women without complications. Reduction in the essential trace elements has negative impact on the development of pregnancy complications among pregnant women in Benin City, Nigeria.

Keywords: Essential, Elements, Pregnancy, Complications