Hematological changes in cord blood of anemic and hypertensive pregnant women

ABSTRACT

Background: Infant and maternal mortality has raised serious concerns since ages. Ongoing researches in this field aim to develop insights into successful maternal and infant health-care programs. Objective: A comparative study of hematological changes in cord blood in anemic and hypertensive pregnant women with normal pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This study was undertaken in the Department of Physiology in collaboration with the Department of Pathology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Government Medical College, Kannauj, after taking permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Sample size included 150 third trimester pregnant women of 20–40 years. Group I (normal) included subjects (n = 50) with hemoglobin (Hb) concentration more than 11 gm/dl and blood pressure (systolic range = 100–139 mmHg; diastolic range = 60–89 mmHg). Group II (anemic) included subjects (n = 50) with Hb concentration <11 gm/dl and blood pressure (systolic range = 100–139 mmHg; diastolic range = 60–89 mmHg). Group III (hypertensive) included Hb concentration of more than 11 gm/dl and blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg. Hematological parameters (Hb concentration, total red blood cell (RBC) count, blood indices, total platelets count, total white blood cells count, and differential leukocyte count in maternal blood and cord blood) were duly studied. Results: Hb concentration, RBC count, mean cell volume of red blood, mean corpuscular Hb (MCH), and MCH concentration were observed significantly lower in anemic mothers, but there were no statistically significant differences noted between mother’s and her cord blood investigations. Absolute neutrophil count (1000/mm3), absolute lymphocyte count (1000/mm3), and platelets count (lacs/mm3) were significantly decreased in cord blood of hypertensive mothers (Group III). Conclusion: Conditions such as anemia and hypertension in pregnancy influence hematological changes in cord blood which, in turn, adversely affect the perinatal outcome.