PREDICTING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE DURING DIFFERENT TRIMESTERS OF IRAQI PREGNANCY

A case-control study was conducted in Najaf, Iraq, to reveal how pregnancy changes blood composition.The researchers analyzed blood samples from 92 women aged between 18 and 41 years who were recruited from Al-Hakim Hospital.These women were divided into four groups, with 23 in each group.Three trimester pregnant groups (n = 69) were included for comparison with the non-pregnant group (n = 23).Results: Blood biomarkers in the pregnant groups revealed significant changes (P value < 0.05) compared to the non-pregnant group.During all trimesters, a gradual increase was found in the values of blood triglycerides (TG), blood total cholesterol (TC), and white blood cells (WBC), while a gradual decrease was found in the values of high-density lipoprotein (HDL).Hemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) values began to decline in the first trimester compared to the control group, continued to decline until they reached their lowest levels in the second trimester, and then increased again in the third trimester.Conclusion: It is possible that the changes that occur in the mother's body during pregnancy reflect physiological adaptations to promote fetal growth.But when these changes become abnormal, especially in the third trimester, this indicates the presence of risk factors for developing serious diseases in the future, such as cardiovascular disease.Therefore, it is necessary to monitor blood indicators in a pregnant woman at any stage of pregnancy to avoid negative consequences for the mother and her fetus.