OBJECTIVES: total serum vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) concentration was measured in 90 pregnant women, 30 in each trimester (age range 18-35 years) and a control group of age-matched non-pregnant women. METHODS: total serum vitamin C concentration was measured using the 2.4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method which involves the conversion of vitamin C to dehydroascorbic acid in the presence of copper (II) ions and subsequent measurement of the resulting bis-hydrazone at 540nm. RESULTS: the total vitamin C concentration in the first trimester was 2.55 ± 0.82 mg/dl and 2.32 ± 0.40 mg/dl and 0.77 ± 0.10 mg/dl in the second and third trimesters respectively. Relative to serum total vitamin C concentration in the controls (3.15 ± 0.13 mg/dl) these values are significantly lower (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: low serum vitamin C in pregnancy may indicate utilization of this vitamin to mop up the excess reactive oxygen species and maintain its normal homeostasis. Therefore, Vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy is recommended in order to boost the body's low vitamin C level and prevent the predisposition to low birth weight babies, premature delivery and pre-eclamsia all of which are known to be associated with sub-optimal vitamin C levels during pregnancy.

Falciparum malaria infection is associated with significant destruction of erythrocytes. This leads to the release of toxic metabolic products, including oxidant compounds. We measured the serum concentration of the antioxidant, ascorbic acid, in 129 patients presenting with acute falciparum malaria infection and in 65 healthy individuals. None of the study subjects administered any form of ascorbic acid supplementation within one week prior to participation in this study. The mean serum ascorbate concentration in infected adult males (n = 49, age range 18-50 years) was found to be 2.02 +/- 0.20 mg/dL, and it was 2.03 +/- 0.24 mg/dL in infected adult females (n = 56, age range 18-50 years). These values were significantly greater than the serum ascorbate levels (1.54 +/- 0.10 mg/dL) in healthy adult males (n = 28) and females (n = 28) (p < 0.05). In children (age range 3 to 5 years), the serum ascorbate concentration was significantly lower (1.95 +/- 0.20 mg/dL) during infection (n = 25) than in their healthy counterparts (2.9 +/- 0.24 mg/dL, n = 9) (p < 0.05). It is evident therefore that ascorbic acid plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of acute falciparum malaria in adults. Infected children also need to be given supplemental doses of ascorbate in view of the weakness of their immune system.

Background: The incidence of P. falciparum malaria is characterized by high rates of morbidity and mortality in under 5 children; a trend reportedly prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries including Nigeria, and recently observed in Jos metropolis, has to date defied all constructive, preventive and drug therapy intervention measures and consequently continues to constitute a serious public health problem in this most vulnerable group. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine certain haematological indicators of malaria parasite infection; their role in the clinical manifestation of P. falciparum malaria and effect of first line oral chloroquine treatment in children under 5 years attending Jos University Teaching hospital and OLA Hospital in Jos metropolis. Method: This is a cross-sectional study of 93 malaria and non-malaria children, age 1 -59 months attending Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos and OLA hospital, Jos, North Central Nigeria. Malaria diagnosis was carried out using microscopical examination of Leishman's stained thick and thin blood films and complete blood count was done using Beckman Coulter Analyzer. Results: The mean percentage lymphocyte value of chloroquine treated children (39.28% ± 7.45%) was significantly lower than the control (66.38% ± 2.27%). The mean granulocyte value of chloroquine treated children (51.07% ± 6.40%) was significantly higher than the control (26.69% ± 2.43%). Red Blood Cell (RBC) counts (4.01 ± 0.21 × 10⁶/µL), Haemoglobin concentration (9.60 ± 0.51 g/dl) and Haematocrit (30.97% ± 1.43%) of chloroquine treated children were significantly higher than corresponding values in untreated malarious children, but not significantly different from values obtained in non-malaria control children. The RBC counts (2.92 ± 0.39 × 10⁶/µL), Haemoglobin concentration (7.23 ± 1.01 g/dl) and Haematocrit (23.70% ± 3.37%) obtained for untreated malarious children were significantly lower than corresponding values in the non-malarious control children. Conclusion: The pattern of the results obtained in this study suggests that home-based, first-line oral chloroquine treatment 24 hours prior hospital admission decreases the lymphocytes production and elevated production of granulocytes with attendant consequences on their biological functions. The chloroquine treatment seems to protect the red blood cells against the destructive effect of malaria. The haemoglobin concentration of 7.23 ± 1.01 g/dl obtained in untreated malaria children when combined with results of red blood cells; differential analysis indicates a mild, normocytic, normochromic anaemia due to haemolysis. This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of first aid, home-based oral chloroquine use. Rational use of chloroquine needs to be re-evaluated and encouraged in this group of children.

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