Haematological Parameters of Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Nakaseke Hospital, Central Uganda

Abstract

Introduction Establishment of haematological ranges is key to laboratory diagnoses and management of pregnancy-related complications. The parameters to a large extent ought to be population-based, never the less, there are limited studies on the reference ranges of pregnant women for the local population. This study reports on the haematological parameters of pregnant women attending antenatal care at Nakaseke Hospital, central Uganda. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study involving pregnant women was conducted from the month of May to August 2018. Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) venous blood samples were collected and a full blood count (FBC) was run. Data for the haematological parameters was presented in tabular form as mean ± SD in reference to 95% reference intervals. Results One hundred and thirty-five adult (18 years, and above) consented pregnant women were enrolled. The red blood cells (RBCs) counts and haemoglobin concentration showed a gradual decrease during the first two trimesters and a slight increase during the third trimester. There was no significant change in MCV. The white blood cells (WBCs) did not show a significant change in the total count from the first to the second trimesters, and there was a significant rise during the third trimester. The granulocytes were affected by the increase in numbers. Platelet count decreased during the first to the third trimesters. Conclusion This study has explored a variance in the haematological parameters. This necessitates incorporation of specific reference ranges for clinical care and management of gestational disorders.