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2025, Vol: 11, Issue: 2
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Assessment of Micronutrients, Cortisol, and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women Attending a Healthcare Facility

Chikaodili Nwando Obi-ezeani, Ifeoma Joy Onuora, Onyema Athanasius Onyegbule, Eugenia Obiageli Nnoruka, Stella Chinyere Afulukwe, Amuche Lilian Onuike, Georgina Nwabugo Umeaba.


Abstract
Background: The study aims to assess serum iron, zinc, and selenium concentrations, cortisol levels, and blood pressure measurements in pregnant and non-pregnant women, and to examine variations in these parameters among pregnant women by maternal age, trimester of gestation, and adherence to routine antenatal medication.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted at Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, 102 pregnant and 80 age-matched non-pregnant women (18–43 years) were studied. Fasting serum iron, zinc, and selenium levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, cortisol levels were measured by competitive ELISA, and blood pressure was measured using a sphygmomanometer. Pregnant participants were further stratified by age group (18–26, 22–35, 36–43 years), trimester (first, second, third), and adherence to routine antenatal medications (always vs. not always).
Results: Compared to controls, pregnant women exhibited lower levels of serum iron (49.7±15.2 vs. 69.6±10.9 μg/dL), zinc (60.1±10.6 vs. 76.3±8.1 μg/dL), and selenium (81.2±20.4 vs. 101.4±14.9 μg/L), higher cortisol (208.5±53.8 vs. 152.6±36.8 ng/mL) and elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p<0.05). Within the pregnant group, no differences were observed by age or trimester (p>0.05). Medication adherence did not affect micronutrient or blood pressure levels; however, women who were always adherent had higher cortisol levels than those who were not adherent (p=0.047).
Conclusions: Pregnancy induces substantial changes in micronutrient levels, cortisol, and blood pressure in this population, whereas maternal age, gestational stage, and adherence to routine medication have minimal influence. These findings highlight the importance of targeted nutritional and clinical monitoring during antenatal care.

Key words: Selenium, Zinc, Iron, Pregnancy, Cortisol, Blood pressure


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Obi-ezeani CN, Onuora IJ, Onyegbule OA, Nnoruka EO, Afulukwe SC, Onuike AL, Umeaba GN. Assessment of Micronutrients, Cortisol, and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women Attending a Healthcare Facility. Ulutas Med J. 2025; 11(2): 34-40. doi:10.5455/umj.20250428092346

Web Style

Obi-ezeani CN, Onuora IJ, Onyegbule OA, Nnoruka EO, Afulukwe SC, Onuike AL, Umeaba GN. Assessment of Micronutrients, Cortisol, and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women Attending a Healthcare Facility. https://www.ulutasmedicaljournal.com/?mno=254958 [Access: July 03, 2025]. doi:10.5455/umj.20250428092346

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Obi-ezeani CN, Onuora IJ, Onyegbule OA, Nnoruka EO, Afulukwe SC, Onuike AL, Umeaba GN. Assessment of Micronutrients, Cortisol, and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women Attending a Healthcare Facility. Ulutas Med J. 2025; 11(2): 34-40. doi:10.5455/umj.20250428092346


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Obi-ezeani CN, Onuora IJ, Onyegbule OA, Nnoruka EO, Afulukwe SC, Onuike AL, Umeaba GN. Assessment of Micronutrients, Cortisol, and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women Attending a Healthcare Facility. Ulutas Med J. (2025), [cited July 03, 2025]; 11(2): 34-40. doi:10.5455/umj.20250428092346


Harvard Style

Obi-ezeani, C. N., Onuora, . I. J., Onyegbule, . O. A., Nnoruka, . E. O., Afulukwe, . S. C., Onuike, . A. L. & Umeaba, . G. N. (2025) Assessment of Micronutrients, Cortisol, and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women Attending a Healthcare Facility. Ulutas Med J, 11 (2), 34-40. doi:10.5455/umj.20250428092346


Turabian Style

Obi-ezeani, Chikaodili Nwando, Ifeoma Joy Onuora, Onyema Athanasius Onyegbule, Eugenia Obiageli Nnoruka, Stella Chinyere Afulukwe, Amuche Lilian Onuike, and Georgina Nwabugo Umeaba. 2025. Assessment of Micronutrients, Cortisol, and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women Attending a Healthcare Facility. THE ULUTAS MEDICAL JOURNAL, 11 (2), 34-40. doi:10.5455/umj.20250428092346


Chicago Style

Obi-ezeani, Chikaodili Nwando, Ifeoma Joy Onuora, Onyema Athanasius Onyegbule, Eugenia Obiageli Nnoruka, Stella Chinyere Afulukwe, Amuche Lilian Onuike, and Georgina Nwabugo Umeaba. "Assessment of Micronutrients, Cortisol, and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women Attending a Healthcare Facility." THE ULUTAS MEDICAL JOURNAL 11 (2025), 34-40. doi:10.5455/umj.20250428092346


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Obi-ezeani, Chikaodili Nwando, Ifeoma Joy Onuora, Onyema Athanasius Onyegbule, Eugenia Obiageli Nnoruka, Stella Chinyere Afulukwe, Amuche Lilian Onuike, and Georgina Nwabugo Umeaba. "Assessment of Micronutrients, Cortisol, and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women Attending a Healthcare Facility." THE ULUTAS MEDICAL JOURNAL 11.2 (2025), 34-40. Print. doi:10.5455/umj.20250428092346


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Obi-ezeani, C. N., Onuora, . I. J., Onyegbule, . O. A., Nnoruka, . E. O., Afulukwe, . S. C., Onuike, . A. L. & Umeaba, . G. N. (2025) Assessment of Micronutrients, Cortisol, and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women Attending a Healthcare Facility. THE ULUTAS MEDICAL JOURNAL, 11 (2), 34-40. doi:10.5455/umj.20250428092346


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