Saudi Journal of Biomedical Research (SJBR)
Volume-3 | Issue-06 | 169-174
Original Research Article
Assessment of the Levels of Fasting Blood Sugar, Hemoglobin, Proteinuria and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women in Nnewi, Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria
Ezeugwunne IP, Ogbodo EC, Aghara OA, Odumodu IO, Analike RA, Onuora IJ, Obi-Ezeani CN, Amah AK, Onyegbule OA, Oguaka VN
Published : Nov. 30, 2018
Abstract
Pregnancy is characterized by a great number of metabolic physiological
changes. The present study was designed to assess the levels of fasting blood sugar
(FBS), hemoglobin (Hb), proteinuria, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood
pressure (DBP) in pregnant women in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of 100
participants aged between 18 and 36 (22.5±3.5) years were randomly recruited for the
study. The participants were grouped as follows: 50 pregnant women and 50 non
pregnant women. Thereafter, 5mls each of blood samples were collected from the
participants into fluoride oxalate and EDTA containers for the determination of fasting
blood sugar and hemoglobin levels respectively using standard method. Urine samples
were also collected for urinalysis while the SBP and DBP of the subjects was measured
using sphygmomanometer. The result showed that the mean FBS level was significantly
lower in pregnant women compared to the control group (p<0.05), while proteinuria,
SBP, and DBP were significantly higher in pregnant women than in control (p<0.05)
respectively. However, the mean Hb level were similar between both groups (p>0.05).
Also, FBS level was significantly lower while proteinuria, SBP and DBP were
significantly higher in pregnant women with 6months of pregnancy than those with
5months of pregnancy respectively (p<0.05). Therefore, the implication of this finding is
that the pregnant women had neither gestational diabetes mellitus nor anemia rather preeclampsia was predominant among the study population.