Naghmi Asif, Khalid Hassan, Saira Afghan, Shaheen Mehmud, Javed Hussain, Lubna Naseem, Hasan Abbas Zaheer, Tahira Zafar.
Comparison of hematological parameters in three trimesters of Pregnancy.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;2(3):195-9.

Objective: To define and compare reference values for different hematological parameters in different trimesters of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the department of pathology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, from June 2005 January 2006. Total number of patients selected was 223 (60 from first trimester, 80 from second trimester and 83 from third trimester). Three to five ml of blood was collected in EDTA containing tubes. Fresh smears were made and stained by Wright stain. Other parameters were measured on a fully automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex KX-21) within two hours of collection. Statistical analysis was done on SPSS version 13. The results of different trimesters were compared by applying Students`t` test and p values were calculated. Results: A statistically significant increase in total leukocyte count with increase in absolute neutrophilic count and decrease in momocyte and eosinophil counts with increasing gestational age was noted. Basophils showed significantly higher values in second and third trimester as compared to first trimester .No significant difference was observed in red cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit in second and third trimesters as compared to first trimester in our study. Platelets also did not show any change with advancement of pregnancy Conclusion: A fall in hemoglobin and other red cell indices was not significant in second and third trimester in our study. Platelet count remained unchanged with advancement of pregnancy. Neutrophilic leukocytosis with decrease in monocyte and eosinophils and increase in basophil count was noted in third trimester as compared to first trimester

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