Coagulation disturbances in pregnancy and post delivery period in Sudan

ABSTRACT

Coagulation problems during pregnancy and after delivery are major health problems leading to fatal complications. Coagulation complications in pregnancy are related to hypertension [PIH], placenta previa or gestational diabetes as well as some chronic problems that effect pregnancy like heart disease and asthma. The study was intended to measure the coagulation profiles, prior and post delivery, to find out coagulation hazards among those ladies compared to non-pregnant ladies as control group. A descriptive comparative study was conducted from Jan to June 2007 using 70 blood samples obtained from non-pregnant ladies [control] and 140 blood samples obtained from 70 ladies during pregnancy and after delivery. The coagulation tests [prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and platelets count] were performed on all samples by the same manner. Results showed that prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and platelets count prior and post delivery were significantly decreased compared to control, unlike platelets which were increased rather than in control without statistical significance. Also the coagulation profiles were significantly affected by the type of delivery [cesarean section and normal], while not affected by mothers' age, circumcision, history of abortion and diabetes mellitus. There is observable effect of weight and contraceptive. It is concluded that the coagulation profile prior and post delivery were significantly decreased compared to control, while platelets were increased more than that counted in control. It is recommended to investigate pregnant ladies for coagulation profile before and after delivery and treatment should be offered to ladies with high risk