Haematopoietic Effects of Amloki (<i>Emblica officinalis</i>) in Pregnancy with Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Due to poverty and ignorance more than half of the pregnant women in developing country are suffering from iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Different gastrointestinal side effects cause low compliance to iron supplementation. Amloki (Emblica officinalis) is very popular among pregnant women for its taste and traditional belief of well-being. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of amloki on RBC, WBC and Platelet count. Prospective comparative study was carried out on patients of Outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital from July 2016 to June 2017. A total of 43 pregnant women between the 13th to the 20th weeks of gestation with IDA were selected aged 18 - 36 years in this study. Anemic pregnant women supplemented with oral iron and amloki were considered as study group (A) and control group (B) were with only iron supplementation for 45 days. Total count of RBC, WBC and platelet were done in the Department of Hematology & BMT Unit, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. For statistical analysis, Paired Student’s “t” test and Unpaired Student’s “t” test were considered using SPSS 22.0 version. A significant increase (p < 0.05) of blood RBC count was observed after intervention of iron in both groups. There was also significant increase in RBC count in iron + amloki supplemented group than that of only iron supplemented group. In this study, there was also increase of WBC count in iron + amloki supplemented group and decrease of platelet count in both groups, but these changes were not statistically significant. It can be concluded that oral amloki supplementation causes increased blood RBC count in IDA with pregnancy.

The Assessment of Platelet Indices Levels in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Background: The prevalence of anxiety disorders is increasing in the world. Studies revealed that generalized anxiety disorder may lead to change in platelet size, volume and functions. Thus, the changes in platelet indices may increase the future risk of thrombotic diseases in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Aim: To evaluate platelet indices (total count of platelet, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, plateletcrit) levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2019 to June 2020. After obtaining ethical clearance, a total of 144 individuals were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria with ages ranging from 18 - 50 years. Group A was the study group selected from Out Patient Department of Psychiatry of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, diagnosed by an experienced psychiatrist. Group B was the control group who were apparently healthy adults selected from different areas of Dhaka city. The subjects were interviewed and detailed history regarding personal, family, medical and drug history were taken. Prior to sample collection, informed written consent was taken from the participants. Platelet indices (total count of platelet, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, plateletcrit) were measured in the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. Statistical Analysis: For statistical analysis, the Unpaired Student’s “t” test was considered using SPSS 25.0 version. Results: Mean platelet volume of generalized anxiety disorder patients was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the control group. Platelet distribution width and plateletcrit were higher in the study group than the control group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that generalized anxiety disorder patients may have more chance of thrombotic diseases due to significantly higher mean platelet volume and higher platelet distribution width, plateletcrit than healthy adults.

ABO Blood Groups and Their Relationship with Coagulation Factor VIII in Healthy Adults

Background: ABO blood group distribution defers with racial and geographic variations. They are related to diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cerebral thromboembolism. ABO blood group system may influence coagulation factor VIII which may increase the future risk of thrombosis. Aim: To assess the relation of ABO blood group with coagulation factor VIII in healthy adults. Material and Methods: A prospective type of analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2019 to June 2020. After obtaining ethical clearance, a total of 190 healthy adults were selected from different areas of Dhaka city based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, with ages ranging from 18 - 45 years. The subjects were interviewed and detailed history regarding personal, family, medical and drug were taken. Prior to sample collection, informed written consent was taken from the participants. Individuals of blood group A were selected as group A, blood group B as group B, blood group AB as group AB and blood group O as group O. Coagulation factor VIII was measured in the Department of Hematology and BMT Unit, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. Blood grouping was done in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. Statistical Analysis: For statistical analysis, ONE way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test were considered using SPSS 25.0 version. Results: In this study, blood group B was most common (33.2%). Coagulation factor VIII was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in blood group A (105.76% ± 11.82%), B (112.00% ± 15.02%), AB (109.80% ± 11.93%) than blood group O (82.00% ± 12.86%). No significant difference was observed among A, B and AB blood groups regarding coagulation factor VIII. Conclusions: It can be concluded that blood group A, B, AB individuals may have more chance of thrombosis due to significantly higher coagulation factor VIII than blood group O individuals.