This study was aimed at evaluating the serum levels of Calcium, Inorganic phosphate and Magnesium together with the Body Mass Index (BMI) in lactating mothers in Owerri. A total of sixty subjects were recruited. Thirty were lactating subjects while thirty were apparently healthy individuals that served as control subjects. Whole blood (5mls) was collected by venipuncture from the subjects using sterile needles and syringes into clean and sterile plain containers. The samples were immediately centrifuged and separated. The serum samples were stored at -20°C prior to use. All reagents were commercially purchased and the manufacturers’ Standard Operational Procedures were strictly followed. Serum Calcium, Inorganic phosphate and Magnesium levels were analyzed by spectrophotometric method and data was assessed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The results were expressed as mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD). Difference in mean values between groups was assessed by student t-test. Result with probability value of P < 0.05 was statistically significant. The mean ± SD values of serum Calcium, Magnesium, Inorganic phosphate and Body Mass Index (9.28 ± 0.53mg/dl, 2.24 ± 0.38mg/dl, 4.18 ± 0.33mg/dl and 25.73 ± 1.60kg/m²) were higher in lactating subjects which was statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared with the control subjects (8.98 ± 0.50mg/dl, 1.98 ± 0.24mg/dl, 3.34 ± 0.37mg/dl and 24.20 ± 1.35kg/m²). There was progressive decrease between 0 – 3 months, 4 – 6 months and ≥ 7 months with the mean ± SD values of Calcium (9.43 ± 0.55, 9.29 ± 0.52 and 9.12 ± 0.53)mg/dl and Inorganic Phosphate (4.25 ± 0.36, 4.18 ± 0.36 and 4.11 ± 0.27)mg/dl, and non progressive decrease in the mean ± SD values of Magnesium (2.29 ± 0.40, 2.20 ± 0.39 and 2.24 ± 0.38)mg/dl and Body Mass Index (26.30 ± 1.77, 25.30 ± 1.70 and 25.60 ± 1.27)kg/m² which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The increase found was due to increased bone resorption and the decrease was due to enhanced mechanism for bone mineralization as the hormones concentrations tend to normalize in prolonged lactation.

The world has finally settled living with Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with no cure discovered so far. Yong people with HIV infection under HIV management drugs get married and eventually end up being pregnant and bearing babies. The need therefore to investigate the effect of HIV infection and antiretroviral drugs on body chemistry especially the hormones concerned with pregnancy and lactation cannot be over emphasized as this is important to intervene when necessary for the overall benefit for the mother and child. We investigated the effect of anti-retroviral drugs and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection on prolactin production and stimulation in HIV-infected pregnant women. A total of 120 subjects participated in the study. Sixty (group 1) of these subjects were HIV seropositive pregnant women who commenced treatment with zidovudine in combination with lamivudine, that is highly anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) at 2 nd trimester. The 2 nd group made up of 60 HIV seronegative pregnant women who received no drug and as control to the study. The blood samples of both groups were collected at the beginning of the second and at the end of the third trimesters. For group 1 (seropositive pregnant women), the blood collection was done just before commencing the HAART treatment. The prolactin level of HIV seropositive pregnant women were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the HIV seronegative pregnant women at the 2 nd trimester. Also, the prolactin level of HIV seropositive pregnant women at 2 nd trimester was not significantly increased (P> 0.05) compared with third trimester level. The reverse was the case with HIV seronegative pregnant women where prolactin level of 3 rd trimester was significantly increased when compared with 2 nd trimester. HIV infection has prolactin suppressive effect on pregnant women and HAART treatment did not significantly raise prolactin level.

Preeclampsia is a serious and life-threatening pregnancy complication. In this study, the levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured in preeclamptic women in Owerri, Imo State. A total of 120 pregnant women aged 18-45 years at 20-40 weeks of pregnancy were recruited; 60 were preeclamptic women (test group) while 60 were normotensive pregnant women (control group). Preeclampsia was determined by the presence of ≥2+ protein in the urine using combi 2 dipstick for urinalysis and sphygmomanometer blood pressure reading of ≥ 140/90 mmHg. From the demographic data obtained in the studied subject through questionnaire, it showed that nulliparity and family history of high blood pressure were the most dominant risk factor of preeclampsia. The mean of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in the test group were 4.33±1.42 pg/ml and 8.23±2.73 pg/ml while that of the control group were 3.38±1.22 pg/ml and 6.89±1.88 pg/ml. There was a significant increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokines of the preeclamptic women when compared to the control group. The mean of the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 & IL-4) of the group were 78.88±14.28 pg/ml and 27.92±7.22pg/ml while the control group was 91.39± 18.46 pg/ml and 31.25±6.90 pg/ml. There was a significant decrease in the result obtained from the test group when compared to the control group. The levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines were higher than the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines of the test group when compared with the control group. Hence there is need to manage the disorder with an anti inflammatory drugs in order to enhance obstetric care, thereby reducing maternal mortality and morbidity that may occur from haemostatic abnormalities.

Preeclampsia is a serious and life-threatening pregnancy complication. In this study, the levels of haemostatic parameters were measured in preeclamptic women in Owerri, Imo State. A total of 120 pregnant women aged 18-45 years at 20-40 weeks of pregnancy were recruited; 60 were preeclamptic women (test group) while 60 were normotensive pregnant women (control group). Preeclampsia was determined by the presence of ≥2+ protein in the urine using combi 2 dipstick for urinalysis and sphygmomanometer blood pressure reading of ≥ 140/90 mmHg. From the demographic data obtained in the studied subject through questionnaire, it showed that nulliparity and family history of high blood pressure were the most dominant risk factor of preeclampsia. The mean haemostatic parameters (PT, APTT, Fibrinogen, D-dimer and t-PA) of the test group were 12.3±0.94sec, 32.17±3.38sec, 627.31±106.93mg/ld, 2.23±0.50mg/l, 2.65±0.57ng/ml respectively, while the control group were 11.76±0.97sec, 28.69±2.64sec, 554±124.81 mg/dl, 1.89±0.44mg/l and 2.37±0.66 ng/ml respectively. There was a significant difference between the haemostatic parameter of the test group when compared with the control group. The results indicated that although anaemia and activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis occur within the peripheral circulation of both preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancy, an abnormal pattern of haemostasis occurs more in preeclamptic women.