Serum heat-stable alkaline phosphatase activity in normal pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the reference values for heat-stable alkaline phosphatase in apparently healthy non-pregnant and in normal pregnant females and to assess the suitability of this parameter as a measure of placental function and indirectly as a measure of foetal survival.


METHODS
A prospective study.


METHODS
Ante-natal clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.


METHODS
Ninety eight apparently normal pregnant females in various gestational ages and 47 apparently healthy non-pregnant females.


METHODS
The serum heat-stable alkaline phosphatase activity.


RESULTS
Variability in values exists between individuals in the same gestational age. The mean and standard deviation of serum heat-stable alkaline phosphatase was found to be 0.79 +/- 1.54 iu/L in the control group. No significant difference was found (p < 0.05) between this and the mean and standard deviation of serum alkaline phosphatase of 0.98 +/- 1.28 iu/L found in the first eight weeks of gestation. However the means and standard deviations of first trimester, second and third trimester were significantly higher than the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
In the face of worsening economic situation in third world countries this simple method could be used in urban and some rural hospitals in assessing placenta insufficiency.
Onwuameze
I C
IC
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
Onwubere
B J
BJ
Ezeoke
A C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000201:enzymology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D010298:Parity; D010927:Placental Insufficiency / Q000201:enzymology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase