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Related Experiment Videos

Pregnancy at high altitude: a hyperviscosity state.

Nikos A Kametas1, Elisabeth Krampl, Fionnuala McAuliffe

  • 1Harris Birthright Research Center for Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK. n.kametas@btinternet.com

Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica
|July 1, 2004
PubMed
Summary

High altitude pregnancy significantly increases maternal blood viscosity, hematocrit, and plasma protein levels compared to sea level. These hemorheological changes may contribute to pregnancy complications at high altitudes.

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Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Altitude Medicine
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Pregnancy at high altitudes is linked to intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia.
  • These conditions are associated with elevated hematocrit and blood viscosity at sea level.
  • Maternal hemorheology at high altitude requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of high altitude on maternal hemorheology.
  • To compare hemorheological parameters in pregnant women at high altitude versus sea level.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 94 pregnant women at high altitude (4370 m) and 75 at sea level.
  • Included nonpregnant women as controls (24 high altitude, 17 sea level).
  • Measured blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, fibrinogen, albumin, and total protein.

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Main Results:

  • Pregnant women at high altitude showed higher hematocrit, blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, total protein, and fibrinogen.
  • Albumin concentration was lower in pregnant women at high altitude.
  • Similar, but more pronounced, hemorheological differences were observed in nonpregnant women at high altitude.

Conclusions:

  • Pregnancy at high altitude is characterized by increased blood viscosity.
  • Elevated hematocrit and plasma viscosity are the primary drivers of increased blood viscosity.
  • These findings highlight significant hemorheological adaptations to high-altitude pregnancy.