ABSTRACT

Hemoglobin concentration, plasma urea, serum calcium, serum total protein and cholesterol levels of healthy pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Federal Medical Centre Umuahia were determined through the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. 280 women were assessed for Hb, 80 out of this number underwent measurement of iv * )t Q (& c L serum urea concentration, serum calcium, and, serum total cholesterol concentration measured. Mean Hb concentration of women in the trimester of pregnancy was found to be 10.52±1.43 g/dl, while for second and third trimesters Hb concentration were 10.72±i.44q/dl and 10.89±1.40 g/dl respectively. Plasma urea decreased from 18.77±7.8lmg/di and 18.08±5.8lrng/dl in the first and second trimesters to 15.93±8.O8mg/dl in the third trimester. Serum calcium concentrator increased in the first and second trimesters to 8.48+3.54mg/di in the third trimester. Total serum protein decreased from 83.94±21.92mg/l and 83.30+26.57mg/l in the first and second trimester to 79.59±29.60mg/ in the third trimester. Plasma cholesterol varied from a mean of 180.15±51.22ma/dl in the first trimester to 91.97±6.7Omg/dl and 133.75±39.46mg/dl in the second and third respectively. The significance of these findings in relation to fetal/child perinatal survival and maternal endowment are discussed.