FOLATE STATUS OF PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC AT FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE (FMC) KATSINA, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a physiological state that is associated changes in micro-nutrients levels
occurring at different gestational age. Variations in folate levels occur frequently in pregnancy partly
due to changes in appetite, physiologic haemodillusion, increase demand and hormonal influences on
folate metabolism. An understanding of the interplay between pregnancy and folic acid is mandatory in
order to proffer appropriate therapeutic intervention.
Aim: To determine the folate status of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) at the Federal
Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, Katsina state, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A total of 204 consenting pregnant women and 100 non-pregnant women
were enrolled for this study as subjects and controls respectively. A structured questionnaire was
administered to all participants. Full blood count and differentials, red cell folate, serum folate and
serum homocysteine assays were carried out. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0.
Results: The mean age of the subjects and controls were 26.7±5.8 years and 33.1±10.5 years
respectively. The mean red cell folate, serum folate and serum homocysteine of subjects were
269.28±77.79ng/ml, 28.11±4.56ng/ml and 10.93±2.11µmol/l respectively. Although not statistically
significant, red cell folate decreases with increasing parity (p=0.526) while serum folate and
homocysteine levels were lowest in the second trimester (p=0.239 & p=0.917). The mean haemoglobin
levels of the subjects (10.9±1.9g/dl) were significantly lower than those of controls (12.2±1.2g/dl)
(p<0.0001). Out of 204 subjects, 138 (67.5%) were anaemic (Haemoglobin < 11g/dl) and only 3 (1.5%)
were folate deficient. Red cell folate levels decreases with increasing parity, although, it is not
statistically significant (p=0.526). A weak positive but statistically significant correlation was observed
between haemoglobin levels (r=0.211, p=0.002), folate supplement intake (r=0.149, p=0.033) and red
cell folate levels.
Conclusion: The majority of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Federal Medical Centre
Katsina had normal folate levels. Serum folate and homocysteine levels changes in pregnancy with the
lowest level observed in second trimester among the subjects. Red cell folate decreases with increasing
parity. Also, anaemia in pregnancy is common among the subjects.