HAEMORHEOLOGICAL PROFILES IN DIFFERENT TRIMESTERS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Normal pregnancy is characterised by a reduction in peripheral resistance in order to increase blood flow and facilitate the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the peripheral tissues. The aim of this study was to see the effect of pregnancy on haemorheological profiles based on trimesters. Methods: This study was carried out at Haematology Department of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Sixty pregnant and twenty non-pregnant women were included. Estimation of packed cell volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, relative plasma viscosity, relative whole blood viscosity, and fibrinogen concentration were carried out based on trimesters using standard approved methods. Results: The mean of packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and relative plasma viscosity (RPV) were 0.33L/L, 26.10 mm/1^st Hr, and 1.70 mPa.s, while that of relative whole blood viscosity (RWBV) and fibrinogen concentration (FIBC) were 3.88 mPa.s and 4.38g/L. In the second trimester, the mean PCV was 0.32L/L, mean ESR was 43.20 mm/1^st Hr, RPV was 1.72 mPa.s, WBV 3.50 mPa.s and FIBC 4.86 g/L. For the third trimester, the means were: PCV 0.29 L/L, ESR 86.65 mm/1^st Hr, RPV 1.77 mPa.s, and RWB 3.88 mPa.s while FIBC was 5.04 g. Conclusion: Normal pregnancy exerts positive influence on haemorheological profiles and this could explain the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy. Haemorheological profiles can be used to monitor the development of cardiovascular disease during pregnancy.