Evaluation of Fibrinogen Level and Platelet Count among the Apparently Healthy Pregnant Women at 3rd Trimester

Background: Different physiological changes affect normal coagulation and fibrinolytic system during pregnancy. Hemostatic abnormalities are often associated with various complications of pregnancy. Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the fibrinogen level and platelet count among pregnant women at third (3rd) trimester as compared to non-pregnant healthy women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, Rajshahi Medical College (RMC), Rajshahi, Bangladesh, from July 2016 to June 2017 on 60 healthy women, out of them 30 were apparently healthy pregnant women of third trimester in the age group of 20-35 years (cases), and 30 were age matched non-pregnant healthy women (controls). Their detailed case history was taken and relevant clinical examinations were done. Plasma fibrinogen level and platelet count were measured using auto analyzer. Data were analyzed and compared by statistical test. Results: The mean±SD age of the pregnant women was 27.27±3.72 years and that was 27.13±4.01 years in non-pregnant healthy women. The maximum (40.0%) study women were in 26-30 years age group followed by 38.3% was in 20-25 years age group and 21.7% was in 31-35 years age group. Most of the cases were primipara [22(36.66%)] and majority women in the control group were multiparous [17(28.33%)]. Mean±SD body mass index (BMI), pulse rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were nearly similar between the groups. Plasma fibrinogen level was significantly high (p<0.001) and platelet count was relatively low among women at 3rd trimester of pregnancy in comparison to non-pregnant healthy women. Conclusion: Plasma fibrinogen level is significantly high and platelet count is relatively low at 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Coagulation parameters are altered in a balanced way during normal 3rd trimester pregnancy.