Hematological Profile in Pregnancy and Its Effect on Birth Outcomes; a Longitudinal Study of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi

Background: Pregnancy causes remarkable and dramatic changes in hematological variables which have an impact on pregnancy and its outcome.

Objective: This descriptive longitudinal study examined maternal hematological parameters during pregnancy and its effect on pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Three hundred and fifty (350) pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who delivered at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) were randomly enrolled. Full blood count (FBC) was estimated and a well-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and obstetric history of participants.

Results: Haemoglobin levels steadily decreased from first to the third trimester, with a rise during parturition and neonatal periods. Anemia was most prevalent in the third trimester of pregnancy (47.1%). White blood cell (WBC) count increased from the first trimester till the puerperium, platelet (PLT) count was similar in the three trimesters, with a significant decrease at parturition and puerperium. Except for the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), all the other hematological indices did not show a significant correlation with Apgar score < 7 at the 5th minute in our study (P > 0.05). No correlation was found between maternal hematological indices at parturition and neonatal birth weight (P > 0.05). Maternal WBC count showed a positive significant relationship (β = 0.095, P = 0.012) with the neonatal WBC count.

Conclusion: Pregnant women have altered hematological indices during pregnancy, parturition and puerperium. Parturient hematological indices did not have any significant association with Apgar score < 7 at the 5th minute and birth weight.