Comparative Study of Selected Haemostatic Parameters in Different Trimesters among Pregnant Women in Ilesa Metropolis South Western Nigeria

Aim: The aim of this study was to see the effect of pregnancy on some selected haemostatic parameters based on trimesters.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Wesley Guild Hospital Unit, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria, between September 2015 and March 2016.

Methods: The study design of this work was one-factor, one control - three test group quasi - experimental design. A total of eighty (80) subjects were recruited for the study, and were grouped into 1st trimester pregnant women (n=20), 2nd trimester pregnant women (n=20), 3rd trimester pregnant women (n=20), and non-pregnant women (n=20). Blood samples (6 mL venous blood) were collected, and distributed into sodium citrate bottle (3 mL) and Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid bottle (3 mL) respectively. The blood samples were centrifuged and stored at 4°C before being investigated for haematological analysis using standard approved methods. Statistical difference was determined by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a post hoc test (Student Newman-Keuls Test (SNK)).

Results: In first trimester, the mean of packed cell volume (PCV), fibrinogen concentration (FIBC), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thrombin time (PTTK) and platelets (PLT) were 33.20%, 4.34 g/L, 20.38 sec, 43.60 sec and 208,800.00/mm3 respectively. In the second trimester, the mean of PCV was 32.25%, mean of FIBC was 4.86 g/L, mean of PT was 19.44 sec, mean of PTTK was 51.26 sec and mean of PLT was 194,200.00/mm3. For the third trimester, the means were as follow: PCV: 29.40%, FIBC: 5.04 g/L, PT: 19.62 sec, and PTTK: 50.63 sec while PLT was 133,400.00/mm3.

Conclusion: Human pregnancy is found to exerts changes of positive influence on haemostatic parameters, which when done in addition with other haemorrheological investigations may prevent thromboembolic episodes and clotting complications as well as reducing blood loss during and after delivery of pregnancy.