A study of urinary prostacylin products and some haematological parameters in pregnant women with sickle cell anaemia

Abstract

Objective: Normal gestation is associated with an increased plasma volume (PV) and vasodilation which plasma prostacyclin (PGI2) may account for. This study measured PGI2 levels in pregnant haemoglobin (Hb) SS patients as they have been reported to lack PV expansion. Methods: Urinary prostacyclin (UP) concentration and full blood count parameters were determined in pregnant Hb AA and Hb SS women, with non-pregnant controls. Results: Thirty-three Hb AA (19 non-pregnant and 14 pregnant) and 25 Hb SS (18 non-pregnant and 7 pregnant) were studied. UP did not rise in pregnant Hb SS women compared to non-pregnant (Geometric mean (GM) 614 ± 2.4 vs 248 ± 3.8, p=0.063), despite a very significant rise in Hb AA pregnancy (GM 1406 ± 2.1 vs 260 ± 2.9 pg/ml, p<0.0001). Conclusion: There is a lack of significant rise in plasma prostacyclin levels during pregnancy in Hb SS women, which could account for their reported lack of plasma volume expansion.

Keywords

• Urinary prostacyclin
• sickle cell anaemia
• pregnancy
• haematological