Von Willebrand factor among pregnant women attending Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital Sokoto

Abstract

Von Willebrand factor is an important protein that plays a crucial role in haemostasis and thrombosis. Changes in von Willebrand factor levels during pregnancy may increase the risk of bleeding or thrombotic complications for both the mother and the foetus. The aim of this study was to assess von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels among pregnant women in Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study that involved 60 pregnant and 30 non-pregnant women in Sokoto. Blood samples were collected and centrifuged to get plasma and then analysed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from Nanjing PARS Biochem (China). Data were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25. Independent sample test was used to compare vWF levels in pregnant women and non-pregnant women. The results obtained showed that vWF meanSD (184.4 ± 109.8) of subjects were significantly higher (p=0.018) than that of control (141.8 ± 57.6). The study showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the vWF levels of pregnant women based on trimester, gravida and parity. Also, Age and years of marriage of pregnant women have no association with vWF. Therefore, vWF levels are affected by pregnancy and pregnant women should be screened for their vWF status to prevent bleeding disorder.