Evaluation of Hemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) at Different Trimesters of Pregnancy Among Women in Elele, Rivers State

Agbai E.O¹., Nwanegwo C.O¹., Ofoego U.C²., Nwodo F.N². and Nwokoroku U¹

¹Department of Human Physiology

²Department of Human Anatomy

^1&2Madonna University Elele, Rivers State.

E-mail: vivy4okey@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) in 150 pregnant women booked out-patients for routine antenatal care at Madonna University Teaching Hospital (MUTH) Elele, Rivers State and healthy non-pregnant women in Enugu town, Enugu State were used in this study. 2 ml of venous blood each was drawn from 150 pregnant women and 50 non-pregnant women (age; 20-45 years). 50 pregnant women (first trimester, 0-12 weeks), 50 pregnant women (second trimester, 13-26 weeks) and 50 pregnant women (third trimester, 27-41 weeks); blood samples were taken from the antecubital fossa vein by venopuncture in the morning and collected in EDTA bottle. The hematological values were determined within standard 2 hours of collecting the sample. The PCV was estimated using the microhaematocrit method and hemoglobin was estimated using the Sahlis method. Data showed that PCV was statistically significant difference at P < 0.05 between non-pregnant (36.17 ± 0.34) compared to first trimesters (30.46 ± 0.12), second trimesters (28.18 ± 0.23) and third trimesters (31.34 ± 0.24). There was no statistically significant difference at P > 0.05 between first trimesters (30.46 ± 0.12) compared with third trimesters (31.34 ± 0.24). The result on Hb showed statistically significant difference at P < 0.05 between non-pregnant control group (12.82 ± 0.19) compared to first trimesters (11.35 ± 0.12), second trimesters (9.46 ± 0.12) and third trimesters (11.72 ± 0.14). There was also no statistically significant difference at P > 0.05 between first trimesters (11.35 ± 0.12) compared with third trimesters (11.72 ± 0.14). Results showed a decrease in PCV during first trimester and a decrease in Hb during the second trimester suggesting that women at these groups are at risk of poor pregnancy outcome.