Anaemia in Adult Nigerians in Ebonyi State, South Eastern Nigeria is not Related to Plasma Mineral Element Levels
Journal Title: National Journal of Laboratory Medicine - Year 2016, Vol 5, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction: Anaemia remains one of the major public health challenges with global impacts, especially in developing countries. Causes of anaemia are multiple and variable among which are social, dietary, physiological and environmental factors with evidences suggestive of contributory roles of metal interactions. Aim: To determined the relationship of anaemia with plasma levels of lead, iron and zinc in adult Nigerians. Materials and Methods: Total 428 subjects (111 males, 184 non-pregnant female and 133 pregnant female), aged ≥18 years (mean=38.4±13.7 years) were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic data were collected using structured questionnaire while blood samples were collected for the determination of haemoglobin and mineral elements using standard methods and techniques. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <12.0g/dl (non-pregnant women), <11.0g/ dl (pregnant women) and <13.0g/dl (men), respectively. Ninety three anaemic subjects were compared with 335 non-anaemic subjects. Results: Although the plasma levels of all the elements were lower in anaemic in comparison to non-anaemic subjects, only lead was significant (0.004±0.002 vs 0.005±0.012 µg/dl; p = 0.027). While none of the elements showed any relationship with haemoglobin, plasma iron was positively correlated with zinc (r = 0.837; p = 0.001). Conclusion: The absence or weak significant relationship between anaemia and any of the elements suggests that relative concentrations of the elements may be important determinant of anaemia in this population. While further studies are desired to substantiate these findings, food diversification and reduction in toxic metals exposure are recommended to improve the nutritional status of residents and reduce anaemia prevalence with its attendant health consequences.
Authors and Affiliations
Dr. Emmanuel Ike Ugwuja, Dr. Henry C Uro- Chukwu, Dr. Johnson Akuma Obuna, Dr. Agwu UM, Dr. Emeka Ogiji, Dr. Ezenkwa U Simon
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP382089
- DOI 10.7860/NJLM/2016/18072:2171
- Views 132
- Downloads 0
Bacteriological Profile and Antibiogram of Urinary Tract Infections at a Tertiary Care Hospital
Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are amongst the most common cause of bacterial infections in humans. It encompasses a wide array of infections, accounting for a vast number of community as well as hospital a...
Salmonella typhi Causing Splenic Abscess - A Rare Case
Splenic abscess is a rare entity which often goes unrecognised. Only few cases are reported in literature. Often the clinical presentation is non specific. We report a case of a 45 years old female who presented with fev...
Fungal Infections in Intensive Care Unit: Challenges in Diagnosis
Opportunistic fungi have immersed as serious threats particularly among patients of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) over the past few decades. The patients in ICU present special challenges, they are at risk for a variety of c...
The Effect of Fresh Frozen Plasma Transfusion on International Normalized Ratio in Critically Ill Patients
Introduction: Patients with mild prolongation of coagulation values are often transfused with Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)on the assumption that FFP will correct coagulopathy. Aim: To assess the effect of FFP transfusion on...
Correlation of CT Findings of Thoracic Mass Lesions with CT Guided Aspiration Cytology
Introduction: Thoracic masses have always remained an enigma in clinical practice. Computed Tomography (CT) is a useful investigation in further characterisation of suspicious thoracic masses and guided Fine Needle Aspir...