PLASMA IMMUNOGLOBULIN, TOTAL PROTEIN AND ALBUMIN LEVELS DURING NORPLANT USE BY NIGERIAN WOMEN

Objective. To determine the effect of Norplant on plasma immunoglobuli ns, albumin and total proteins. Design. A longitudinal prospective stu dy of Norplant (six capsules) subdermal contraceptive implant acceptor s. Setting. Family Planning Clinic, University College Hospital, lbada n, Nigeria.Patients. 36 women volunteers aged 18-40 years on Norplant. Main outcome measures. Serum immunoglobulins, albumin and total prote in before, one, three and 12 months after Norplant insertion. Results. No statistically significant changes were observed in plasma levels o f IgA, IgM and total proteins but plasma levels of IgG showed statisti cally significant increases after one, three and 12 months on Norplant . Conclusion. Norplant does not seem to alter IgM, IgA, albumin and-to tal protein levels over a period of 12 months. It, however, induces si gnificant changes in IgG levels at one, three and 12 months after inse rtion. These changes are less marked by the end of 12 months.