Physiological Changes In Individual Leukocytes In Pregnancy

Abstract

To determine the changes in individual types of leukocytes in third trimester of pregnancy, a cross sectional study was conducted in the antenatal clinic of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Lady reading Hospital Peshawar, from 1st Aug to 10th Dec 2012. A Total of 152 pregnant ladies were included and necessary information was recorded on the questionnaire. The age range of the patient was from 20 years to 49 years with mean age of 33 ± 3.4years. Out of total 27(18%) were prima gravida. Total leukocyte count was higher than normal in 68% cases. Re- garding effects of pregnancy on neutrophils, 60.7% of the pregnant women had neutrophil count > 68%. About, 46% had lymphocyte count >25%. No evident changes were seen in monocyte counts. Eosinophilia was present in 10.5% while 3.16% had basophilia. It was evident from the data collected that physiological changes were present in individual leukocytes. There was marked neutrophilia and lymphocytosis. Changes in monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were not remarkable.

Keywords

• Pregnancy, leukocytosis, Peshawar.