Research Article

Assessment of Haematological Changes at Different Trimester in Pregnant Women at Secondary Health Facilities in Southwestern, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed and contrasted the haematological parameters of healthy non-pregnant women who were attending a secondary health facility in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria, with those of pregnant women at various trimesters. Due to a lack of knowledge regarding suitable haematological cut-off levels during pregnancy, the study was carried out. 300 (79.2%) healthy pregnant women and 85 (20.8%) seemingly healthy non-pregnant women served as controls out of the 385 participants who were enlisted. Prenatal attendance patterns were used to stratify the pregnant individuals into the first (n=60), second (n=105), and third (n=135) trimesters. The participants ranged in age from 19 to 48. The Sysmex XP-300 automated haematology analyser was used to analyse four millilitres of venous blood that had been collected into EDTA tubes. Using SPSS version 14.0, the data were analysed with significance set at p < 0.05 and reported as mean ± standard deviation. The findings demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.01) in all evaluated haematological parameters between pregnant and non-pregnant women, as well as a significant correlation (p=0.024) between age groups and study status. MCV, MCH, and MCHC increased across all trimesters, while haemoglobin, haematocrit, and red blood cell count significantly decreased. Eosinophil and basophil numbers did not change, although lymphocyte counts marginally decreased and monocyte counts slightly increased. These results highlight the significance of ongoing monitoring and proper clinical care during gestation by pointing to significant haematological changes during pregnancy.