Ninth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is a major antenatal health care challenge especially in the developing and under developing world. PEM, clinically is diapnosed by taking anthropometric measures and by the administration of often oral and understandardized questionnaires. This leaves out, possibly, some women who though may be PE malnourished, appear physically normal. This study investigated the potentials of serum urea and calcium as markers in the confirmation of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) in pregnant women. A hundred and two (102) pregnant women were divided into two groups based on their level of serum total protein (a known indicator of PEM), while fifty (50) non-pregnant women were recruited to form the third group. Serum total protein, urea and calcium levels were estimated in all subjects and comparisons made. The results show that serum urea and calcium can serve as confirmatory tests for PEM. Health care providers may therefore include these tests in their routine for checking PEM.