The Association between Thrombin Antithrombin Complex and Foetal Outcomes in Women with Preeclampsia-Eclampsia at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are major contributors to perinatal morbidity and mortality globally.  Haematologic derangements have  been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in women with  preeclampsia. However, this has not been adequately investigated in  our environment. This study  aimed at determining the association between thrombin antithrombin complex (TAT) and foetal  outcomes  in patients with Preeclampsia-eclampsia. This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study  conducted at the university of Benin teaching  hospital, Benin City, Edo state. Seventy-two  preeclampsia-eclampsia women and seventy controls participated in the study. Full blood  count  parameters were estimated using an auto analyser (Sysmex Haematology Autoanalyser model KN21).  Thrombin antithrombin  complex was estimated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay  method. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for  social sciences (SPSS) version 21. The  mean TAT concentration for women with preeclampsia-eclampsia was significantly higher than the  control group (19.6 ± 3.2µg/L vs 15.7 ± 3.9µg/L; p = < 0.001). Newborns born of women with  preeclampsia-eclampsia had low birth weight  in comparison with controls (33.3% vs 4.3%; p = < 0.001).  Babies born in the study group also had more neonatal intensive care  unit (NICU) admissions and  foetal death than in the normotensive group (45.8% and 33.3% vs 5.7% and 1.4% respectively).  Preeclampsia- eclampsia is associated with elevated TAT levels in women with preeclampsia- eclampsia  and there was a significant association with  foetal low birth weight, admission into NICU and perinatal  mortality.