Abstract

Dr. Amal S. Elhassade*, Dr. Adham Saad and Ebtisam Barakat

ABSTRACT

Background: The haemostatic changes of pregnancy are associated with the development of a tendency toward hyper coagulation and these changes are influenced by the genetic makeup of the patient and environmental factors. The effects of these factors could alter the delicate balance between the activities of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems and their inhibitors that are responsible for maintaining normal haemostasis. This shift in balance can predispose a patient towards either thrombosis or hemorrhaging, depending on which tendency is favored. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pregnancy on some of haemostatic parameters. The haemostatic parameters were assessed using prothrombin time test (PT), activated partial thomboplastin time test (APTT) and platelet count. Material and method: A total of (30) healthy pregnant women aged between 21-38 years in the third trimester of pregnancy, and 30 non pregnant women aged between 24-42 years. Platelet count, PT and APTT were measured for pregnant women and non pregnant women. Result: In pregnant women mean of platelets count was (223.2 x 109/l ± 57.8) whereas in non pregnant was (195.2 x 109 /l ± 27.9), there was no significant difference between platelets in control (non pregnant) and pregnant women in third trimester P = 0.08 Mean level of PT in pregnant women was 14.7sec ± 5.2 whereas in non pregnant was 12.4 sec ± 0.9 , there was no significant difference between pregnant and non pregnant P= 0.107. Mean level of APTT among pregnant women in the third trimester was 33.3 sec ± 5.9 whereas in non pregnant was 28.5 ± 2.3, APTT was significantly higher in pregnant women than non pregnant. Conclusion: This study showed no significant effect of pregnancy on platelets count, prothrombin time whereas APTT increase in pregnant women this may result from decrease activity of intrinsic coagulation factors or due to environmental influences like the diet.