Abstract
Several biological factors, particularly haematological, are physiologically altered during normal pregnancy. Biologists and doctors who are aware of these changes in the maternal body can screen for potential abnormalities. The aim of this research is to find healthy pregnant women's reference values. This was a cross-sectional research of pregnant women who attended an antenatal clinic at Sree Balaji Medical College, with anaemic and non-anemic pregnant women. Pregnant women were categorized into three groups -Group I - First Trimester (50 cases); Group II - Second Trimester (50 cases) and Group III - Third Trimester (72 cases) while non pregnant women formed the fourth group (30 cases). A statistically significant difference between the pregnant women and control group was noted (p < 0.05) for all the hematological parameters: red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, leukocytes, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets and mean platelet volume. The present study provides additional baseline data for basic hematological parameters in healthy pregnant women and concluded that pregnancy in women has the tendency to alter some hematological indices.
Highlights
Pregnancy represents a period of stress with excessive demands of nutrients for the mother and for the offspring which reflects in the hematological parameters.Shekhar; JPRI, 33(58B): 137-142, 2021; Article no.JPRI.72126Pregnancy causes a state of hydraemic plethora [1]
All samples were analyzed for hematological parameters (Erythrocyte Count, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Mean Corpuscular Volume, and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration, Red Cell Distribution Width, Leukocyte count and Platelet count)
Hematological parameters in 172 pregnant and 30 non-pregnant women were evaluated in the present study
Summary
Pregnancy causes a state of hydraemic plethora [1]. There is uneven increase of plasma volume during pregnancy leading to apparent reduction of erythrocyte, hemoglobin and hematocrit value. This unequal expansion of plasma volume and red cell mass resulting in hemodilution has been, perhaps wrongly termed as physiological anemia in pregnancy [2]. There is an inadequate data to give physiological limits for the expected dilution. Most iron transfer to the fetus occurs after thirty weeks of gestation and transmits to the increased maternal absorption which is regulated by the placenta. The pregnancy induced hemodynamic change alters the physiologic state suitably to remove the general rules [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
