Status of Some Antioxidant Micronutrient and Pregnancy Outcomes in Ghanaian Adolescents Attending Antenatal Clinic in Urban (Suntreso) and Rural (Mampong) Hospitals

Aims: Antioxidants are important in maintaining cellular function in normal pregnancy and are needed for mitigating the effects of oxidative stress. However, there is paucity of information on the importance of antioxidants in pregnant adolescents. This study was therefore aimed at assessing maternal antioxidant micronutrient status and its impact on pregnancy outcomes in Ghanaian pregnant adolescents.

Study Design: Prospective Cohort study.

Place and Duration of Study: Mampong and Suntreso Government hospitals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana between March and November 2014.

Methodology: We included 100 pregnant adolescents aged 11 to 19 years. Two 24 hr recall sessions were used to assess dietary antioxidant micronutrient (Vitamin A, E, C, Zinc and Selenium) intakes of study participants. Biochemical status was assessed by measurement of serum Vitamin A, zinc and selenium using standardized methods. Pregnancy outcomes were obtained from hospital records after parturition.

Results: The mean intakes of Vitamin A (246.86±26.80 mcg/d), E (7.32±0.46 mg/d) and zinc (7.56±0.42 mg/d) of participants during the study were below the RDA for the nutrients. The mean serum concentrations of Vitamin A (22.64±1.78 µg/dl) and zinc (137.43±25.27) were found to be higher than reference values. However, with a mean concentration of 63.20±13.58 µg/dl, serum selenium deficiency was observed in 74% of the participants. The mean birth weight and gestational age of the study population was 2.89±0.05 kg and 38.23±1.06 weeks, respectively (for 43 participants). Twenty-three percent (23%) of the babies were born with low birth weight. Further statistical analysis revealed no association between the antioxidant micronutrient status and birth weight and gestation age.

Conclusion: No association was found between the antioxidant micronutrient status and pregnancy outcomes among Ghanaian pregnant adolescents. However, larger epidemiological studies and intervention trials are required to reinforce or refute the beneficial role of antioxidant micronutrient on pregnancy outcomes.