BLOOD GLUCOSE AND URINALYSIS IN THE THREE TRIMESTERS OF PREGNANCY

Pregnancy is associated with significant physiologic and anatomic changes which occur at different rates throughout the body to provide a good upshot for both mother and foetus. This study aimed at determining the changes in the blood glucose levels in the three trimeers of pregnancy and assessing the changes in the urine constituents with respect to the blood glucose status. 90 pregnant women, 30 for each trimester were used and 30 non pregnant, age-matched subjects were used as the control subjects, all subjects were residents of Benin City. Data was analyzed using Ms Excel and P< 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The results showed that blood glucose levels increases progressively from the first trimester of pregnancy to the last trimester. Upon urinalysis, glucose, protein, blood and nitrite were found to be absent in all subjects of study. A normal Urobilinogen content was observed in all subjects as well. However, 20% of the subjects tested positive for ascorbic acid content in the second trimester and in the last trimester, ketone and bilirubin was found to be present in 25% and 20 % of the subjects, respectively. These abnormal appearances are suggestive of hormonal adaptation of pregnancy.