Pregnancy and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Objectives To determine the range of erythrocyte sedimentation rate values obtained in healthy pregnant women. To examine the effect of gestational ag e arid haemoglobin concentration on erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Setting Queen Charlotte's Hospital. London. UK. Design Cross sectional descriptive study. Population Health pregnant women attending for routine outpatient antenatal visit, at Queen Charlotte's Hospital in London. Methods Erythroeyte sedimentation rate was determined by the Westergren met hod, haemoglobin concentration by, automated cell counter and gestational a ge by Ultrasonography. The median and 95% reference range was determined fo r erythrocyte sedimentation rate Values obtained. Linear regression analysi s was used to determine the influence of haemoglobin concentration and gest ational age on erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Results For 1019 women examined. the range of erythrocyte sedimentation rat e Values obtained,vas 4-112 mm/h. Gestational age arid haemoglobin concentr ation both significantly influenced erythrocyte sedimentation rate. (P < 0. 0001). For non-anaemic women the 95% reference range rose from 18-48 mm/h i n the first half or pregnancy to 30-70 mm/h in the second half of pregnancy . For anaemic women the corresponding reference ranges were 21-62 mm/h and 40-95 mn/h, respectively. Conclusion For the correct interpretation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate Values obtained during pregnancy gestational age and haemoglobin concentra tion must he taken into account.