The fibrinolytic enzyme system in pregnancy in Nigerians

Abstract

Results of a detailed study of the fibrinolytic enzyme system in pregnant and non-pregnant Nigerians are reported. It was observed that plasma plasminogen, (^-antitrypsin, and c^-macroglobulin were significantly increased in pregnancy (/' < 0.001) in comparison with the non-pregnant state. Fibrinogen was also increased but at a level of P < 0.01. A prolonged euglobulin clot lysis time was also observed (/' < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean values of platelet count in the two groups. These findings indicate that Nigerian women in pregnancy show physiological changes in haemostasis identical to those reported in Caucasians 15,7).