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The role of some micronutrients (eldervit) in the management of anaemic pregnant Nigerian women: A preliminary report


UI Nwagha
N Okeji
O Clems-Anunwa
FE Ejezie
TU Nwagha
E Iyare

Abstract

CONTEXT: Anaemia continues to be a leading contributor to adverse reproductive outcomes in the developing countries. Although, the commonest cause of anaemia in pregnancy is iron deficiency, the enormous contributions of other micronutrients have been underestimated. As a result, the need to identify relevant micronutrients, which
complement iron, in haematopoiesis cannot be over emphasized.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of some micronutrients  (Cyanocobalamin, {B12}2500ìg, folic acid 0.7mg, niacin12mg and ascorbic acid 150mg; Eldervit-12) on some haematological parameters of anaemic pregnant women.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: ONE hundred and sixty two (162) anaemic pregnant women aged between 18-38 years were recruited into the study, and randomly divided into two groups. The test group was given two weekly
Eldervit-12 injections intramuscularly, and the control group was given placebo (water for injection). Packed cell volume (PCV), reticulocyte count, white cell count and platelet count were estimated before and at the end of the injections using established methods. Student t-test was used to determine test for significance between the groups.
RESULTS: The PCV increased significantly from 25.9± 2.2% and 26.2± 2.2% to 37.3% ± 2.6% and 32.4%± 1.9% respectively for test and control (P< 0.001). The PCV increase was however, significantly higher in the test when compared with the control (P< 0.001). The reticulocyte count also increased significantly from 2.2% ± 0.7% and 2.3%± 0.7% to 4.7%V 0.8 % and 2.9% ± 0.7 % respectively for test and control (P<0.001). But the test showed a more significant increase than the control (P< 0.001). There were no significant differences in the WBC and platelet counts (P> 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Additional micronutrients play a vital role in the management of anaemia in pregnancy. Efforts should be made to qualify and quantify these in other to obtain the actual daily requirements.

Key words (Anaemia, Pregnancy, Micronutrients, Haematological parameters.)


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