Comparative Study of Platelet Count in Different Trimesters of Pregnancy and in Non- Pregnant Women of Same Age Group.

Thrombocytes are essential for hemostasis. Increase as well as decrease in platelet count has been reported to affect the outcome of pregnancy in various studies. This study was done to find if there was any variation in the total count of platelets in the peripheral blood in different trimesters of pregnancy, when compared to the nonpregnant individuals of same age group in the local population. Peripheral blood samples were taken from pregnant women of 18-36 years of age. 20 subjects of each trimester were tested. Samples were collected from 20 non-pregnant subjects of comparable age group for control. Platelet count was done by Brecher and Cronkite method. In the non-pregnant group, the mean platelet count was 208500 per cu mm of blood (±50157). The mean platelet counts per cu mm of blood in the three consecutive trimesters were: 255900, 274800 and 283900 respectively. All the values were significantly higher (p<0.001) when compared to the non-pregnant group. Our study shows there is a definite rise in the total platelet count as pregnancy progresses towards completion. But the count does not exceed the reference values as per international standard.

Clinical evaluation with self-sequential longitudinal reference intervals: pregnancy outcome and neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone level associated with maternal thyroid diseases / Evaluación clínica con intervalos de referencia longitudinal auto-secuencial: evolución clínica del embarazo y niveles de la hormona estimulante de la tiroides en neonatos asociados con enfermedades tiroideas maternas

OBJECTIVE: We attempted to evaluate maternal thyroid function in a new self-sequential longitudinal reference interval (SLRI) which we established recently. By this method, we analysed the correlation between pregnancy outcome, neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level and maternal thyroid diseases. METHODS: A total of 1744 pregnant women participated in the study and 1747 babies were born from those women (three bore twins). The levels of TSH, free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) of mothers were quantified by electrochemistry immunoassay (ECL). The levels of neonatal blood TSH were detected by time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA). All data were collected and statistically analysed by SPSS 13.0 software. RESULTS: With our new SLRI method, we found that 0.11%~3.84% pregnant women would get thyroid diseases. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common maternal thyroid disorder. Being positive for thyroid peroxidase antibodies was a significant risk factor of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy. The median, P2.5~P97.5, and interquartile range (IQR) of neonatal TSH (N-TSH) of 1747 babies were 2.72 mIU/L, 0.10~8.01 mIU/L and 2.62 mIU/L, respectively; 28.6% of pregnant women with thyroid diseases developed pregnancy complications. The prevalence was significantly higher than in the normal thyroid function group (p< 0.001). The levels of N-TSH were low correlated with maternal TSH levels (p < 0.05), but there were no significant correlations between N-TSH and maternal FT4 and maternal TPO-Ab (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid disorders, especially subclinical hypothyroidism, are common in pregnant women. These disorders are associated with pregnancy and fetal outcome. Routine maternal thyroid function screening is important and should be recommended.

OBJETIVO: Intentamos evaluar la función tiroidea materna en un nuevo intervalo de referencia longitudinal auto-secuencial (SLRI) que establecimos recientemente. Por este método, analizamos la correlación entre el resultado del embarazo, el nivel de la hormona estimulante de la tiroides (TSH) en neonatos, y las enfermedades tiroideas maternas MÉTODOS: Un total de 1744 mujeres embarazadas participó en el estudio y 1747 bebés nacieron de esas mujeres (tres de ellas tuvieron gemelos). Los niveles de TSH, la tiroxina libre (FT4), y los anticuerpos de la peroxidasa tiroidea (TPO-Ab) de las madres, fueron cuantificados mediante inmunoensayo electroquímico (ECL). Los niveles de TSH en la sangre de los neonatos, fueron determinados mediante inmunoensayo por fluorescencia resuelto en el tiempo (TRFIA). Todos los datos fueron recogidos y analizados estadísticamente usando el software SPSS 13.0 RESULTADOS: Con nuestro nuevo método SLRI, encontramos que 0.11%~3.84% de las mujeres embarazadas contraerán enfermedades tiroideas. El hipotiroidismo subclínico fue el trastorno de la tiroides materna más común. Ser positivo a los anticuerpos de la peroxidasa tiroidea fue un factor de riesgo significativo del hipotiroidismo subclínico durante el embarazo. La mediana, P2.5~P97.5, y el rango intercuartil (IQR) de la TSH (N-TSH) neonatal de los 1747 bebés fueron 2.72 mIU/L, 0.10~8.01 mIU/L y 2.62 mIU/L respectivamente. El 28.6% de las mujeres embarazadas que tenían enfermedades tiroideas, desarrollaron complicaciones del embarazo. La prevalencia fue significativamente más alta que en el grupo con función tiroidea normal (p < 0.001). Los niveles de N-TSH fueron bajos en correlación con los niveles de TSH maternos (p < 0.05), pero no hubo ninguna correlación significativa entre la N-TSH y la FT4 materna, y la TPO-Ab materna (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIÓNS: Los trastornos tiroideos, especialmente el hipotiroidismo, son comunes en las mujeres embarazadas.Estos trastornos se hallan asociados con el resultado del embarazo y el resultado fetal. El tamizaje de rutina de la función tiroidea materna es importante y debe recomendarse.

Perfil lipídico por trimestre de gestación en una población de mujeres adultas / Lipid profile of adult women during the first, second and third trimester of gestation

Antecedentes: En el embarazo se producen variaciones hormonales muy marcadas y estas se asocian con grandes modificaciones del perfil lipídico. Objetivos: Evaluar el perfil lipídico de mujeres adultas por trimestre de gestación y comparar el perfil lipídico de un grupo control de mujeres no embarazadas con gestantes del primer trimestre, que consultan al servicio de Maternidad del Hospital Público Provincial "Dr. Ramón Madariaga". Método: Se estudiaron 248 embarazadas, 69 en primer trimestre, 78 segundo y 101 tercero. Además un grupo control de 43 no gestantes con distribución etérea, índice de masa corporal y criterios de exclusión similares al grupo de gestantes. Se extrajo sangre con 12 horas de ayuno para las determinaciones bioquímicas, las cuales fueron realizadas por métodos enzimáticos colorimétricos, con controles de calidad interno y externo. Resultados: Se encontró que colesterol total, triglicéridos, col-VLDL, col-LDL, los índices colesterol total/col-HDL y triglicéridos/col-HDL, fueron aumentando significativamente en cada trimestre, mientras que el c-HDL no presentó diferencias. Los valores de percentilo 95 del tercer trimestre para CT de 321 mg/dl y TG 371 mg/dl, podrían ser utilizados como valores de corte en nuestra población. Cuando se comparó mujeres no gestantes versus embarazadas del primer trimestre no se encontraron cambios significativos. Conclusiones: El seguimiento del perfil lipídico de las gestantes podría convertirse en una herramienta diagnóstica que permita monitorear aumentos que superen lo considerado como fisiológico, llevando a un adecuado control prenatal.

Background: In pregnancy hormonal changes occur very marked and these are associated with major changes in the lipid profile. Aims: To evalúate the lipid profile of adult women during normal pregnancy in the first, second and third trimester and to compare the lipid profile of woman who are not pregnant with the lipid profile of woman who are in the first trimester of gestation and who are attended at the Maternity Public and Provincial Hospital "Dr. Ramón Madariaga". Methods: 248 pregnant women were evaluated of which: 69 women were in the first trimester; 78 women were in the second trimester and 101 women were in the third trimester. In addition a control group of 43 non-pregnant women with age distribution, body mass Índex and exclusión criteria similar to the group of pregnant women. Blood was extracted after twelve hours fasting to get the biochemical determinations which results were gotten by enzymatic colorimetric methods, with infernal and external quality control. Results: It was found that total cholesterol; triglycerides, very low density and low density lipoprotein, the total cholesterol index/ high density lipoprotein y triglycerides/ high density lipoprotein were significantly increasing in each period of three trimesters while c-HDL did not show any variation. The values of 95th percentil obtained in the third trimester for CT de 321 mg/dl y TG 371 mg/ di, could be used as cut values for our population. When the group of not pregnant women were compared to the group of first trimester no significantly differences were found. Conclusions: The frequent evaluation of the lipid profile of women in gestation time could become a good way of diagnosis that gives the opportunity to follow the increasing results that are considered superior to what is physiologically acceptable, carrying out a good performance in prenatal control.

Fact of low hemoglobin and packed cell volume in pregnant women are at a stand still.

A cross sectional descriptive type of study was done in 98 women of reproductive age. Among them 25 were in control group of non pregnant women and 73 were pregnant women of 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy with and without iron supplementation. The period of study was July 2004 to June 2005. The main objective of our study was to compare hemoglobin percent and packed cell volume (PCV) in pregnant and non pregnant women. In present study hemoglobin percent and packed cell volume was significantly decreased in 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy when compared with the control group and same category of women who were not supplemented with iron. It is evident that the significantly low hemoglobin percent and packed cell volume (PCV) in pregnant women is due in part to dietary iron deficiency. Therefore, iron therapy in pregnancy is helpful to maintain the hemoglobin percent and packed cell volume nearer to that of non pregnant normal women.