THE EFFECT OF PRENANCY ON NEUTROPHIL-LYMPHOCYTE RATIO, C-REACTIVE PROTEIN, WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT AND PLATELET COUNT

ABSTRACT This research was conducted at Madonna University Teaching Hospital, Elele, Rivers State, involving fifty (50) participants, comprising twenty-five (25) pregnant women and twenty-five (25) non-pregnant women. Ethical considerations were strictly adhered to, ensuring the protection and confidentiality of all participants. Blood samples were meticulously collected from each participant to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. C-Reactive protein (mg/l) levels were analyzed using the fluorescence method, providing precise and sensitive measurement of this inflammatory marker. Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio, white blood cell (x109L), and platelet counts (x103µl) were analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer, ensuring consistency and accuracy in the hematological assessments. The study aimed to investigate the differences in these biomarkers between pregnant and non-pregnant women, contributing to the understanding of their roles in pregnancy. The results indicated that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in neutrophil-lymphocyte ration (4.01 ± 0.04, 2.10 ± 0.25), C-Reactive protein (8.20 ± 0.10, 1.21 ± 0.30 mg/l), white blood cell (9.90 ± 0.40, 6.91 ± 0.20 x109L), and platelet counts (221.92 ± 2.50, 240.24 ± 1.60 x103µl) between the two groups. This finding contrasts with previous studies that have suggested variations in these biomarkers during pregnancy, such as higher NLR and CRP levels in pregnant women, and fluctuating WBC and platelet counts