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 127
- Downloads 0
A Study of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2/neu) Expression in Endoscopic Biopsies and Gastrectomy Specimens of Gastric Adenocarcinomas
Introduction: Gastric carcinoma (GC) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and has poor prognosis, since most of the patients present with advanced disease and the therapeutic options available are very few. The r...
Comparability Assessment of Serum Electrolytes on Different Autoanalysers Working on the Same Principle
ABSTRACT Introduction: Electrolyte measurement of critically ill patients is frequently requested in emergency central laboratory. These are either obtained from Point of Care (POC) electrolyte analysers on urgent basis...
Solitary Nevus Lipomatosus Cutaneous Superficialis: A Case Report
Nevus Lipomatosus Cutaneous Superficialis (NLCS) is a rare benign hamartomatous skin tumor. It consists of infiltration of mature adipose tissue into the dermal collagen. It’s clinically classified in two types: the clas...
Evaluation of Nested PCR for Rapid Diagnosis of Pediatric Tuberculous Meningitis
Introduction: Pediatric Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM) is a highly morbid, often fatal disease and its prompt diagnosis is fundamental to the proper management. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is paucibacillary in such cases and...
Prevalence of Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis E Virus in Western Thar Region
Introduction: Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) pose major health problems in India. Both viruses are enterically transmitted, resulting in Acute Viral Hepatitis (AVH) in developing countries. This stud...