Aim: To determine the hemorhelogical alterations in normal pregnant
women in Benin City, Nigeria.
Methods: Subjects aged between 18 and 42 years participated in the study.
Patient consent form was obtained from 240 pregnant women on antenatal
visit and 80 aged matched healthy individual on routine checkup. The
pregnant women were divided into three groups according to trimesters.
Those with complications were excluded from the study. C reactive
proteins and fibrinogen concentrations were estimated using enzymelinked
immunosorbent assay method. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was
estimated using the Westergren method. Relative plasma viscosity was
estimated using the simple syringe and needle apparatus.
Results: There was a significant increase (P< 0.05) in FC, RPV, CRP and
ESR at stage 1 when compared with stages 2, 3 and 4.
Conclusion: The elevation of fibrinogen concentration, relative plasma
viscosity, C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are
associated with normal physiological adaptive mechanism of the blastocyst
to get itself engraft onto the wall of the endomentrium from where it can
obtain nourishment.