Research Article
D. C. Okpokam, Z. A. Okhormhe,
Abstract
Anaemia is defined as a haemoglobin concentration lower than the established cut-off defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). This cut-off ranges from 110g l21 for pregnant women and for children 6 months–5 years of age, to 120g l21 for non-pregnant women, to 130g l21 for men.Cross-sectional prospective study involving 100 apparently healthy pregnant subjects attending antenatal clinic at two centers and 100 apparently healthy nonpregnant subjects of child bearing age (control group), both were within the age range 18 and 43 years and from Akpabuyo Local Government Area Cross River State in Nigeria. Four important haematological parameters were carried out and they include; haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), total white blood cell count (TWBC) and differential white cell count in the subjects studied. The results obtained indicate that there was decrease haemoglobin concentration as well as slightly raised Neutrophil and Lymphocyte count that show significant difference in pregnant subjects in comparison with non-pregnant subjects. However, HCT and Hb were found to reduce significantly while TWCC and Neutrophil increase slightly as trimester increased. Parity showed not to have influence on haematological parameters of pregnant women from Akpabuyo LGA. The present study provides fundamental haematological parameters of pregnant women in rural community of Akpabuyo. This will be of help to the community and the government that a complete blood count is carried out routinely for proper management of ante-natal women, as well as creating awareness to educate pregnant and non-pregnant women on proper food to eat and vitamins to take when pregnant.