Author(s)

Thomas O. Zeigbo¹, Peter A. Akah^1,2*, Martha N. Ofokansi²

¹Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
²Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Background: Geophagy is the consumption of earth materials which occurs across several cultures. For several reasons, pregnant women in many parts of West Africa including Nigeria frequently consume kaolin. This study was carried out to determine the influence of kaolin consumption on serum electrolytes, glucose and amylase levels of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a Teaching Hospital in the south east Nigeria. Methods: A total of eighty pregnant women recruited for this study were grouped as follows; Group 1, (30 geophagic pregnant women in the first trimester), Group 2 (30 geophagic pregnant women in the second trimester) and Group 3 (20 non-geophagic pregnant women that served as control). Subjects in Groups 1 and 2 were subdivided into three based on the quantity of kaolin consumed per week: group A (100 g/week), group B (150 g/week) and group C (200 g/week). Preliminary analysis of the calcium content of kaolin was carried out. Serum levels of potassium, sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, glucose and amylase of the subjects were determined. Results: Calcium level in kaolin was below the recommended daily intake in food. The concentrations of potassium in geophagic pregnant women who consumed 150 g and 200 g of kaolin per week were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in both 1^st and 2^nd trimester groups., There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in sodium concentration (132.2 ± 2.0) of the 2^nd trimester pregnant women that consumed 200 g of kaolin per week. The concentrations of chloride and bicarbonate were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected in all the groups. Serum amylase concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the 1^st and 2^nd trimester pregnant women on 150 g and 200 g of kaolin per week, while the plasma glucose concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in the same groups. Conclusion: This study concludes that kaolin consumption in pregnant women may predispose to gestational diabetes, electrolytes imbalance and reduced intestinal enzymes activities.

Geophargy, Kaolin, Pregnancy, Serum Electrolyte, Glucose, Amylase

Zeigbo, T. , Akah, P. and Ofokansi, M. (2020) Kaolin Consumption Affects Serum Electrolytes, Glucose and Amylase Levels of Pregnant Women. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 8, 160-168. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2020.86015.