Abstract
Objectives: to study the red cell indices and HB% variation in third trimester of pregnancy and also to compare the indicator for their significance in labeling a cell as hypochromic or microcytic..
Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in the OPD department of Gynecology and obstetrics Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady reading Hospital (PGMI-LRH) Peshawar, from 1st August 2012- 10th Dec 2012. A Total of 152 women attending the centre were included. Necessary information’s were recorded on the questionnaire prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study.
Results: A total of 152 women in their third trimester presenting to Gynecology and obstetrics department of Lady reading hospital Peshawar. The age range of the patient was from 20 years to 49 years with mean age of 33+3.4years.Out of total 27(18%) were primagravida. Of total 81(53%) of the females were having hemoglobin less than 11g/dl and 22% of the women had HCT<32% which as per criteria of the WHO were anemic at the time of presentation. While 29(19%) patients had low value of MCV (microcytic). We observed that RDW is best indicator for deciding the microcytic nature of the cell than MCV. There were 29 (19%)women with MCV <80Fl while there were 55(36%) pregnant ladies with RDW-CV%>15. Regarding the hypochromic analysis of the cells we observed that Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) was less than 27pg in 26(17%) clients while Mean Corpuscular HB Concentration (MCHC)was less than 31g/dl in 44(29%) women.
Conclusion: The anemic ratio of the pregnant women especially in third trimester of pregnancy is significant. Hb% is simple and easy way to detect anemia, but the importance of the HCT values is also intact. MCH and MCHC showed decrease in significant population understudy. We observed a significant increase in the RDW-CV% value which is more specific than MCV to label patient having microcytic anemia. HB% is more specific than HCT, MCHC>MCH and RDW-CV%>MCV.

Key words: Anemia in pregnancy, Red cell indices, comparison of Red cell indices