?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.title=Impact+of+Maternal+Helicobacter+pylori+Infection+on+Trace+Elements+(Copper%2C+Iron+and+Zinc)+and+Pregnancy+Outcomes&rft.creator=Ugwuja%2C+EI&rft.creator=Akubugwo%2C+EI&rft.subject=Online+Journal+of+Health+and+Allied+Sciences&rft.description=Background%3A++H.+pylori+infection+has+been+suggested+to+interfere+with+micronutrient+metabolism+and+influence+pregnancy+outcomes.+Objectives%3A+This+study+therefore+seeks+to+document+the+prevalence+of+H.+pylori++seroposivity+among+pregnant+women+and+to+determine+its+impact+on+some+trace+element+status+and+pregnancy+outcomes.+Materials+and+methods%3A+Three+hundred+and+forty+nine+consenting+pregnant+women+aged+15-40+years+(mean%3B+27.+04+%C2%B1+4.+75+years)+and+gestational+age+%E2%89%A4+25+weeks+(mean+21.77+%C2%B1+3.14+wks)+attending+antenatal+clinic+at+Federal+Medical+Centre%2C+Abakaliki%2C+between+July+2007+and+September+2008+participated+in+the+study.+H.+Pylori+antibody+(IgG)+was+determined+by+a+new+generation+ELISA+method.+Plasma+copper%2C+iron+and+zinc+were+analysed+using+flame+atomic+absorption+spectrophotometer+(Bulk+Scientific+AVG+210+Model)+while+haemoglobin+and+albumin+were+analysed+using+standard+haematological+and+biochemical+techniques.+Both+maternal+sociodemographic+and+anthropometric+parameters+were+recorded+at+recruitment.+The+women+were+followed-up+till+delivery+after+which+neonatal+anthropometrics+and+other+birth+outcomes+were+recorded.+Results%3A+H.+pylori+seroprevalence+of+24.1%25+(84%2F349)+was+recorded+with+higher+prevalence+in+multiparous+and+older+women.+H.+pylori+infected+women+had+significantly+higher+BMI+(29.00+%C2%B1+3.89+vs.+26.86+%C2%B1+4.10%2C+p+%3D+0.020)+and+lower+(p+%3E+0.05)+plasma+levels+of+Cu%2C+Fe%2C+Zn%2C+albumin%2C+and+haemoglobin+when+compared+to+non-infected+women.+Also+H.+pylori+infected+women+had+significantly+(p+%3C+0.05)+higher+rates+of+convulsion+and+concomitant+illnesses+than+their+non-infected+counterparts%2C+although+there+was+no+difference+in+the+two+groups+for+other+pregnancy+outcomes.+Conclusion%3A+H.+pylori+infection+during+pregnancy+seems+to+interfere+with+trace+element+metabolism+and+contribute+significantly+to+increased+maternal+morbidity.+Prior+to+confirmation+of+these+findings+in+a+well+controlled+randomised+trial%2C+it+is+suggested+that+pregnant+women+be+screened+for+H.+pylori+infection+to+reduce+H.+pylori+associated+morbidities+during+pregnancy.&rft.publisher=Dr.+BS+Kakkilaya&rft.contributor=Kakkilaya%2C+Dr+Srinivas&rft.date=2010-04-30&rft.type=Journal+(On-line%2FUnpaginated)&rft.type=PeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F6976%2F1%2F2009-4-7.pdf&rft.identifier=++Ugwuja%2C+EI+and+Akubugwo%2C+EI++(2010)+Impact+of+Maternal+Helicobacter+pylori+Infection+on+Trace+Elements+(Copper%2C+Iron+and+Zinc)+and+Pregnancy+Outcomes.++%5BJournal+(On-line%2FUnpaginated)%5D+++++&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F6976%2F