Thrombogenic indices in an evaluation of pregnant Nigerian women with pregnancy loss

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy losses (PLs) are usually a source of pain and psychological stress to the expectant couples. The association between ABO blood groups and some thrombogenic markers with PL among Nigerian women is mostly unknown. Aim: This study investigates the association between ABO blood group, deficiencies of protein C (PC), and protein S (PS) and PL. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 170 pregnant women grouped into two, those with or without a history of clinically- or ultrasonographically recognizable PL. ABO blood groups using the tile method, plasma concentrations of free protein S (fPS) antigen, protein C antigen (PCAg) by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based method, and PC activity (PCAc) by PROTAC method was determined. Results: There was no difference in mean values between the two groups for PCAg, PCAc, FPS, and blood group (P > 0.05). The chances of PL were; non-O blood group (AOR 1.29; 95% CI 0.65--2.54), deficient PCAg (AOR 1.75; 95% CI 0.87--3.54), and deficient PCAc (AOR 1.05;95%CI 0.25--4.13). There was a very poor correlation of miscarriage with FPS (rho 0.04), PCAg (rho 0.09), and PCAc (rho = 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant association between PLs and ABO blood group phenotypes, PCAg, PCAc, fPS.