Authors : F.I. Buseri , Z.A. Jeremiah and F.G. Kalio
Abstract: There are two major objectives in this study. The first is to assess the effect of normal pregnancy on some coagulation parameters. The second is to determine the relationship between gestation (trimester) period and the coagulation parameters. Five parameters, platelet count (PLT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen (FIBR) and factor VII (FVIII) were assessed in 126 apparently health, pregnant women and 58 non-pregnant controls, using standard procedures. Pregnancy was found to exert significant increases in all the parameters; PLT (p = 0.05), PT (p = 0.05), aPTT (p = 0.009), Fibrinogen (p<0.01) and FVIII (p = 0.03). Prothrombin time correlated positively and significant with aPTT and FVIII (p<0.01 and p<0.05). A more significant and positive correlation existed between aPTT and FVIII (p<0.001). Regression line of best fit was determined between the five parameters and gestation period (trimester) for the purpose of establishing the relationship between them using multiple regression models. The gestation period (trimester) was found to relate polynomially with platelet count (y = 0.0015x3 - 0.1896x2 + 8.5114x + 54.199, R2 = 0.9729) and exponentially with the other parameters (PT) y = 9.5166e 0.017x, R2 = 0.9823, aPTT y = 18.461e 0.0239x, R2 = 0.9793, FIBR y = 76.999e 0.0141x, R2 = 0.8704, FVIII y = 28.505e 0.0221x, R2 = 0.9396. We concluded that normal pregnancy state results in the significant increase in most coagulation parameters. This could lead to hypercoagulable state in some women if not properly checked. Increased maternal age (>40 years) could be a risk factor for hypercoagulability in pregnancy.
F.I. Buseri , Z.A. Jeremiah and F.G. Kalio , 2008. Influence of Pregnancy and Gestation Period on Some Coagulation Parameters among Nigerian Antenatal Women. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 2: 275-281.