ERYTHROCYTE CHANGES IN NORMAL PREGNANCY IN MAIDUGURI, NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA
Abstract Background: There is paucity of data in respect of full bloodcount, which include the PCV, Hb, RBC in pregnant women inMaiduguri North- Eastern region of Nigeria.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out at theAnte-natal Clinic of the University of Maiduguri TeachingHospital. The control group was constituted by women from thefamily planning clinic who had weaned their babies. Bloodsamples were taken from 200 pregnant women and 150 nonpregnantcontrols.Results: Eight of the pregnant women were in 1st trimester, 119 in2nd trimester and 73 in 3rd trimester. The mean ± SD of Hb, PCV,and RBC, were: Hb 8.5±2.2 g\dl, 7.9 ±1.7g\dl 8.2 ± 1.7 g\dl, PCV:31.8 ± 5.8%, 28.6 ± 3.6%, 28.7 ± 4.9%, RBC: 4.1±1.1 x 1012\L,4.0 ±0.9 x 1012\L, 3.9±1.9 x 1012\L for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters,respectively. The non-pregnant women had Hb, PCV, and RBC,of: 11.0 ± 1.34 g\dl, 34.0 ± 3.63%, 4.2 ± 0.58 x1012 \L. There was asignificant fall in Hb PCV and RBC count in pregnancy (P<0.05).The MCV in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters were 82.3 ± 18.8 fl, 75.6±18.2 fl, and 79.2 ±17.4 fl, respectively. The MCHC in the 1st, 2ndand 3rd trimesters were 26.2 ± 5.1 g\dl, 27.9 ± 5.5 g\dl and 28.2±5.6 g\dl, respectively. The MCH in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesterswere 22.0 ±7.4, 21.0 ±5.3 pg, and 22.0 ±6.2 pg, respectively. Thecorresponding values for the non-pregnant women were: MCV81.4 ± 10.52 fl, MCHC 32.5 ± 2.4 g\dl and MCH 26.3 ± 2.87pg.The MCV, MCHC and MCH were found to be significantly lowerin pregnant than in the non-pregnant women (p<0.05).Conclusion: Our finding showed that there is a significant fall inHb, PCV, and RBC in pregnancy. Further studies are needed todetermine the normal pregnancy values for our population. Author Affiliations:Corresponding Author:Keyword:Department of Physiology*University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069,Maiduguri, And Department of Obs &Gynae** University Teaching HospitalPMB 1414 Maiduguri Borno StateDr (Mrs) M. A. TukurDepartment of Human PhysiologyUniversity of MaiduguriPMB 1069 MaiduguriBorno State.BOMJ, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-June 2007. 19ERYTHROCYTE CHANGES IN NORMAL PREGNANCY IN MAIDUGURI,NORTH EASTERN NIGERIATukur MA*Chama C**Enyikwola O*Original ArticleErythrocyte changes, pregnancy,Nigeria