Evaluation of Some Antioxidant Parameters (Vitamin E & C), MDA and Hemoglobin Levels, in Women of Reproductive Age, Based on Mode of Child Delivery, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Childbirth indicates the positive outcome of pregnancy in humans, in which mode of child delivery, which is either by vaginal delivery (VD) or cesarean-section delivery (CS) is considered critical in maintaining maternal health. Antioxidants delay or inhibit cellular damage, mainly through their free radical-scavenging property. Changes in vitamin E and vitamin C antioxidants, lipid peroxidation (MDA) and hemoglobin (Hb) can lead to complications, forming reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular imbalance, bringing about oxidative stress (OS). These parameters remove the ROS efficiently and protect the body from the adverse effects of oxidative stress. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of mode of child delivery on maternal VE, VC, MDA and Hb status, in women of reproductive age in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria. It involved 200 pregnant women, within the reproductive ages of 20 to 39 years, with 100 subjects being those who gave birth through VD and 100 being those who gave birth through CS. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, with results expressed as mean ± standard deviation and presented in tables. Independent t-tests and ANOVA were used for comparisons, with p≤0.05 considered significant. The results from this study showed that, women who gave birth through VD had significantly lower VE (p<0.001) and VC (p<0.001) levels compared to those who had CS. Similarly, the levels of MDA were significantly (p<0.001) reduced in women who gave birth through VD compared to those who had CS. The antepartum Hb of VD women was significantly higher than postpartum levels, while the antepartum Hb of CS women was significantly lower compared to the postpartum levels. The results indicate that women who gave birth through VD had significantly reduced VE, VC, MDA and Hb levels, after childbirth, compared to births of CS delivery. It is recommended that antioxidant parameters (Vitamin E & C), MDA and hemoglobin (Hb) levels, be assessed in women during childbirth in order to help in the management of their postpartum conditions.