DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i02.057

Pages: 589-593

The haemoglobinopathies are autosomal recessive inherited disorders of haemoglobin synthesis (thalassaemia) or structure (sickle cell disorders) that is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Maternal hematological parameters influence health and survival of infant. Hence we need a powerful infrastructure in the form of screening methods, where we can detect pathology before-hand like the genetic disorders and prevent the newborn from many diseases. The present study was designed to study hematological profile in Antenatal care patients attending OPD, to compare the hematological parameters in normal pregnant women with those having Haemoglobinopathies and identifying the communities at risk. Total 500 pregnant women were screened. Out of 500 cases 4% are affected by haemoglobinopathy. Category wise distribution and prevalence of haemoglobinopathies in different castes along with number of cases screened of each caste was studied. Hematological parameters in all the 500 antenatal cases showed that anemia is prevalent in pregnancy i.e. known as physiological anemia of pregnancy. Also other parameters like Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, and MCHC are at lower normal limits in pregnancy. Haemoglobin values along with HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC are found to be decreased in all the cases with Haemoglobinopathies while RDW is increased in all cases. Primary screening should be undertaken in all pregnant women. Blood indices can be used as cost effective method in pregnancy in resource limited settings. Due to high prevalence rate of haemoglobinopathies in India, a Universal Antenatal care screening programme for haemoglobinopathies should be adopted.