ANTI-OXIDANT STATUS OF PRE-ECLAMPTIC AND NORMOTENSIVE PREGNANT WOMEN AT THE IRRUA SPECIALIST TEACHING HOSPITAL, IRRUA, EDO STATE

Context: Pre-eclampsia is a disorder unique to pregnancy. It is a major contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Studies done in western countries give conflicting reports on plasma anti-oxidant levels in pre-eclamptics compared to normotensive pregnant controls. However no such study has been published from our area. Objectives: To determine if there is a statistically significant difference in plasma level of anti-oxidants – vitamins C and E among pre-eclamptic compared to parity and gestational age matched normotensive controls and to correlate this with blood pressure levels. Design: Prospective case control study. Setting: Department of Obstetric s and Gynaecology, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Irrua, Edo State. Subjects: Plasma level of vitamin C and E were evaluated in 80 pre-eclamptic patients and were compared with 80 parity and gestational age matched 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 anti-oxidants level was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia at Irrua in Nigeria is associated with significant reduction in plasma anti-oxidants level similar to some reports from the western world.