Study of coagulation markers in pregnant women at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Pregnancy is a complex physiological condition that causes significant changes in the haematological profile of women, including changes in platelet indices and fibrinogen levels. The aim of this study was to investigate coagulation markers in pregnant women at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. This study included 100 participants between the ages of 18 and 45 including 43 non-pregnant Port Harcourt residents and 57 healthy pregnant women who were visiting the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital antenatal clinic. The Sicuro Hemia 5D Haematology Analyzer was used to collect and analyze blood samples for platelet markers and Clauss method for fibrinogen marker. Figures collected were statistically analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA. Results deduced Platelet count (PLT) as statistically significantly lower in pregnant women (206.80 ± 63.04 × 10?/L) compared to non-pregnant controls (270.20 ± 76.38 × 10?/L, p = 00). Plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet large cell count (P_LCC) were also significantly reduced in pregnant women (p = 0.00). Mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW_CV and PDW_SD), and platelet large cell ratio (P_LCR) showed no statistical significance differences between the groups (p > 0.05). Also, fibrinogen values were comparable between pregnant and non-pregnant women, with no statistically significant differences (p = 0.44 and p = 0.98), respectively. In gestational age analysis, Platelet count showed a non-significant inclination, lower in the first trimester (184.58 ± 58.26 × 10?/L), peaked in the second trimester (227.31 ± 67.25 × 10?/L), and declined in the third trimester (202.07 ± 59.77 × 10?/L). Fibrinogen levels increased across trimesters (first - 461.99 ± 109.55 mg/dL third - 534.68 ± 161.72 mg/dL), but the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Pregnant women demonstrated significantly reduced platelet counts and related indices compared to non-pregnant women, Fibrinogen levels showed negligeable statistically insignificant increases across trimesters. Platelet count decreases during pregnancy, possibly due to haemodilution. Haemodilution is supported by fibrinogen levels. Antenatal treatment should include platelet count evaluations for early thrombocytopenia management. Larger sample sizes may help detect subtle trends.