Assessment of Fibrinolytic Activities Among Pregnant Women in Etsako West, Edo State

Abstract

Pregnancy alters haemostasis throughout the trimesters, impacting both mother's and baby's health, particularly during complications. This study investigated fibrinolytic profiles (tissue plasminogen activator [tPA] and clot lysis time) among primigravidae and multigravidae in Etsako West Local Government area of Edo State, Nigeria. The aim was to emphasize the importance of timely and accurate diagnosis of clotting disorders in expectant mothers. This study was a cross-sectional study of primigravidae and multigravidae. A random sampling technique was used to recruit two hundred women attending antenatal clinics in the selected hospitals. Euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) were measured. Immunoturbidimetric and chromogenic techniques were used to assess tPA levels. Inferential statistics were used to test for association between categorical variables and statistical significance set at p-value < 0.05. Significant differences (p<0.001) were observed for both tPA and ECLT across all trimesters in primigravidae. Gravidity significantly impacted tPA levels and ECLT (P<0.001). Age did not affect fibrinolytic activities of pregnant women. Haemostatic protein should be monitored during pregnancy to assess complication risks like consumptive coagulopathy, while tPA offers valuable insights into pregnancy health and prognosis.