Assessment of Protein C and Protein S of Pregnancy Loss Victims
Igwe, Chioma Ada *
Department of Haematology and Blood Group Serology, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
Adias Teddy Charles
Federal University, Otueke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Eze Evelyn Mgbeoma
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Nwachuku Edna Ogechi
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The haemostatic changes that result in thrombophilia during the pregnant state have been linked to pregnancy loss.
Objective: Assessment of Protein S, and Protein C assays in pregnancy loss victims in Abia State, South East, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving women in their reproductive years. Study population was stratified into 3 groups and the Protein C and Protein S concentrations measured and compared among the three groups.
Results: A total of 130 apparently healthy Nigerian women of child-bearing age were enrolled in the study. The study groups consisted of 70 women who had just lost a pregnancy, 30 women with normally progressing pregnancy and 30 nonpregnant women. The protein C concentration for the pregnancy-loss subjects was significantly lower than that of the normal pregnancy at p ≤ 0.01 while that of Protein S showed non-significance (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Protein C deficiency is associated with increase in pregnancy loss.
Keywords: Pregnancy loss, protein C, protein S.