Hematological profile of normal pregnant women in Western India

Anemia is a common problem during pregnancy and no reference values have been reported for hematological parameters during pregnancy in rural population. Present study was aimed to study the hematological variations during three different trimesters of pregnancy and their comparison with matched non pregnant control. Longitudinal study was conducted in a cohort of 302 normal apparently healthy rural pregnant women, attending the antenatal clinic of Dhiraj General Hospital, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Apparently healthy 94 non pregnant women matched with age and socioeconomic status was studied as control. Blood sugar, Hb concentration, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, TLC, DLC, RDW, RBC and platelet count were studied in both groups. Study was in accord with the ethical norms of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth. ANOVA was used for comparison in different trimesters and unpaired t-test was used to compare the pregnant data with non pregnant female (α error was set at 5% level). Trimester variations were recorded for platelet count, RDW, PCV, TLC and DLC during pregnancy, while other parameters like RBC count, blood indices, and Hb concentration remain unaltered during pregnancy. Comparison of pregnant with non pregnant shows significant changes (p <0.05). In conclusion present study represent the rural population data and prepared a base for reference value for this ethnic group. Although gravid uterus affects the haematological parameters, our results evident that pregnancy is a state of adaptation.