VPB1421 - Protein C and Antithrombin III of Pregnant Women Visiting Antenatal Clinic in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Haemostatic changes in pregnancy are significant, essential and have the potential to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Aims: To assess and provide information on some coagulation parameters, fibrinogen, Protein C, and Antithrombin III of pregnant women attending University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

Methods: 120 pregnant women, aged 18 – 45 years were recruited, sixty (60) age-matched non-pregnant women. Ethical clearance with the Reg. number (UCTH/HREC/33/553) and informed consent (well-structured questionnaire) from all subjects was obtained. Citrated and serum samples were used. PT, APTT and TT were assayed using the One-Stage Quick method respectively, FIB was assayed using Clauss method, while PC and ATIII were assayed using ELISA technique.

Results: 52.5% of pregnant women were 19-28 years, 30.8% were 29–38 year and 16.7% were 39–48 years. Pregnant women with tertiary have the highest (58.3%), secondary (29.2%) and primary education (12.5%). It was observed that FIB (4.40g/l), PC (3715.83 pg/ml) and AT III (1346.65ng/ml) showed significant increase when compared with non-pregnant women (P < 0.001). Also APTT and TT showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in age ranges. TT and PC were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in Multiparous 4 and Multiparous 3 when compared with Primiparous and Nulliparous among pregnant women based on parity respectively. PT and FIB (13.88secs, 4.71g/L) were significantly increased in 3rd trimester when compared with the 1st and 2nd trimester (13.12secs, 13.19secs) and (4.18g/L, 4.29g/L) respectively. Relationships were mild positive between PT Versus AT III (r = 0.176, P< 0.05) and mild negative between PC Versus APTT (r = 0.137, P< 0.05).

Conclusion(s): FIB and ATIII are significantly higher, PC activity was significantly low, while multigravidity has an influence on protein C, among pregnant women. Health care givers should be aware of the pregnancy induced changes to aid the proper management and monitoring of pregnant women with bleeding or other thromboemoblic disorders in this locality.