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Platelets initiate hemostasis by aggregating at the site of injury and participate in ensuring endothelial integrity. A defect in this process could lead to intravascular blood loss. This case-control study sought to determine the platelet counts and indices among pregnant women in the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 120 pregnant women as case and 60 non-pregnant women as control were enrolled for this study. Blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes, and complete platelet count and indices were carried out using an automated five-part haematology analyzer. The mean ± standard deviation of the platelets count among the pregnant women, 226.54 ± 69.76 109 cells/L was not significantly different from that of the non-pregnant women, 214.95 ± 52.22x 109 cells/L (p=0.295). There was a significant differences in mean platelets volume (MPV) of the case and control groups (p=0.036). After post-hoc test, the significant difference was between the pregnant women in 3rd trimester and the control group (p=0.014). However, there was no diffences in the mena platelets larger cell ratio and platelet distribution width in the case and control groups. Fifteen (11.0%) and 7 (12.1%) of the case and control control groups, respectively had mild thrombocytopenia. However, there was no significant association between pregnant status and thrombocytopenia (p=0.836). Based on these findngs, it can be infered that platelet count and MPV decreases while PDW increase with the progression of gestation age compared to the non-pregnant women.

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a genetic disorder that has been shown to facilitate certain forms of coagulopathy. However, there is a paucity of data that demonstrated these features in Nigerian Sickle cell anaemic patients. The objective of study: This prospective study aims to determine the plasma level of vWF, APTT, PT, platelet count and haematological parameters of SCA patients in steady state in comparison with apparently healthy individuals attending the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 85 participants were enrolled in this study. This comprised of 35 homozygous SCA in steady-state as test subjects (HbSS) and 50 apparently healthy individuals of Hb AA as the control group. Blood samples were collected from all participants; both PT and APTT were analysed using Quick and kaolin methods, respectively., vWF was assayed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Haematological parameters were analysed through the use of an automated haematology analyser. Results: There was significant elevation of mean±SD of vWF, APTT and platelet count among SCA patients (52.53 ± 1.45 iu/dl), (48.40 ± 4.99 s) and (287.68 ± 21.43 x109/l) when compared with the mean value in control group (40.16 ±1.50 iu/dl), (33.88 ± 1.34 s) and (219.67 ± 13.9 x109/l) (p< 0.05). However, there were significant decrease in PCV, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count among SCA patients, (24.00 ± 0.82 l/l), (7.89 ± 0.24 g/l) and (2.97 ± 0.8 x 1010/l) when compared with control group (40.95 ± 0.73 l/l), (12.44 ± 0.26 g/l) and (4.81 ± 0.11 x 10/l) (p˂ 0.05) respectively. In addition, significant elevation of mean ±SD MCH and MCHC with mean values of (26.63±0.93 pg) and (33.28 ± 0.52 g/l) among subjects when compared with control groups (25.68± 0.47 pg), (30.30 ± 0.18 g/l) (p˂0.005). However, there were no significant differences in WBC, PT and MCV in both study groups. Conclusion: Findings from this study demonstrated prolonged coagulation profile, thrombocytosis and leucocytosis among SCA patients in steady state.

Background and Objectives: Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a widespread virus with various manifestations depending on the immunologic and hematologic status of the host. Infection with the virus can cause a wide range of complications in fetus of infected pregnant women, especially those with hemoglobinopathies. This study aimed to determine association of hemoglobin electrophoretic patterns and risk of B19V infection in pregnant women. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 200 pregnant women attending University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria. The samples were screened for anti-B19V IgM and IgG. Hemoglobin patterns were determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and Minicap Flex Piercing Electrophoresis system. Structured questionnaires were used to collate sociodemographic variables and associated risk factors of B19V. Results: Of 200 participants, 12 (6.0%) were positive for B19V IgM, 45 (22.5%) were positive for IgG and two (1.0%) were positive for both antibody, while 145 (72.5%) had no detectable B19V antibody. Twenty-six subjects (28.3%) with HbAA hemoglobin pattern had B19V IgG of whom, nine (12.5%) had HbAS and 11 (30.6%) had HbSS electrophoretic patterns. There was a significant association between prevalence of anti-B19V IgG and hemoglobin electrophoretic pattern of participants (P=0.037). However, no association was found between prevalence of B19V IgM and hemoglobin electrophoretic pattern, age and parity of pregnant women (P>0.05). Conclusion: Our findings revealed a high prevalence of B19V infection among pregnant women in the studied area. In addition, acute B19V seems to be associated with hemoglobin electrophoretic patterns of pregnant women. It is recommended to follow up newborns of anti-B19V IgM positive pregnant women.

Background and Aims: Iron Deficiency (ID) is a common obstetric problem and nutritional disorder that occurs mostly in developing countries. Hence, nutritional studies are required every few years to determine the necessary healthcare interventions for pregnant women. This cross-sectional study evaluated the plasma iron, ferritin, transferrin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) levels of pregnant women referred to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 58 non-pregnant women, 22 pregnant women in the first trimester, 52 in second, and 44 in the third trimester. The plasma ferritin concentration of these samples was measured by chemiluminescence assay, while the plasma transferrin, TIBC, and iron concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma ferritin levels 0.05). Nevertheless, the mean±SEM plasma iron, ferritin, and UIBC significantly differed across the gestational ages of pregnant women (p