Is pregnancy associated with biochemical and haematological changes in HIV-infected Nigerian women?

Abstract

Background. While there is evidence that HIV affects the course and outcome of pregnancy, reports on the effects of pregnancy on HIV infection remain conflicting, especially in low-resource settings. Methodology. A prospective study of two demographically similar cohorts of HIV-seropositive women, 154 pregnant and 151 non-pregnant, was conducted in a hospital setting in Nigeria. Results. Cases and controls were matched for age, but parity in controls was significantly higher than in cases (p<0.0001). The time between diagnosis and treatment commencement was greater in controls compared with cases (p<0.0001). Electrolyte, urea and creatinine levels were within normal limits, with mean serum urea and potassium higher in controls compared with cases (p=0.002 and p=0.023). Aspartate aminotransferase (AAT)/serum glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase (SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and amylase levels were higher in controls compared with cases (p=0.001, p=0.0001 and p=0.05), but the mean CD4 count was higher in cases compared with controls (p=0.001). The haematological parameters were within normal limits and comparable in cases and controls. A comparison of CD4 count, total white blood cell count and packed cell volume across the three trimesters in the cases did not reveal any statistically significant differences in these parameters. Conclusion. Pregnancy did not affect biochemical and haematological parameters in HIV-infected Nigerian women.