Determination of antioxidant status of pre-eclamptic and normotensive sub-rural Nigerian pregnant women at the Irrua specialist teaching hospital, Irrua, Edo State

OBJECTIVES: To determine the antioxidant levels of subrural Nigerian population where pre-eclampsia and eclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality. METHODS: Prospective case control study done at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria. Plasma level of vitamin C and E were evaluated in 80 pre-eclamptic patientswhich were compared with normotensive 80 pregnant women matched as 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 antioxidants level was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Pre-eclampsia at Irrua in Nigeria is associated with significant reduction in plasma antioxidants level similar to some reports from the other parts of the world.