Effect of Pregnancy on Serum Levels of Selected Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals

Abstract

 Pregnancy places increased demand of adequate nutrients for the growing conceptus. Oxidative stress generated during
normal pregnancy usually increases with decreased supply of antioxidant vitamins and minerals, resulting in adverse
pregnancy outcome. In this study, the levels of antioxidant vitamins and minerals during pregnancy were evaluated. A
total of 120 women of puberty age comprising 60 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC), Usmanu Danfodiyo
University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) and 60 apparently healthy non-pregnant women were recruited for this study.
Serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E were determined spectrophotometrically. The concentrations of zinc
and copper were determined colorimetrically while BMI was evaluated using standard method. Results showed that
serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E in pregnant women (2.28±0.22, 44.67±3.09 and 17.94±1.5
respectively) were significantly lower (P<0.05) than their non-pregnant counterparts (5.33±0.36, 84.06±5.27 and
25.33±1.48 respectively). Our result further showed that the serum concentrations of zinc and copper in pregnant women
(10.00±44 and 10.28±0.44 respectively) were significantly lower (p<0.05) (15.16±0.34 and 22.21±1.45 respectively)
compared to the non-pregnant women. However, BMI were significantly higher (p<0.05) in pregnant women
(28.76±0.08) compared to non-pregnant control (22.45±o.47). These findings suggest altered levels of vitamins and
minerals during pregnancy. Therefore, supplement or food fortification will be a highly effective strategy to correct any
adverse pregnancy outcome as a result of their deficiencies.