The fibrinolytic enzyme system in pregnancy in Nigerians

Results of a detailed study of the fibrinolytic enzyme system in pregnant and non-pregnant Nigerians are reported. It was observed that plasma plasminogen, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and alpha 2-macroglobulin were significantly increased in pregnancy (P less than 0.001) in comparison with the non-pregnant state. Fibrinogen was also increased but at a level of P less than 0.01. A prolonged euglobulin clot lysis time was also observed (P less than 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.