Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a physiological state of adaptation that results in significant hormonal, mechanical and cardiorespiratory changes. Progesterone increases minute ventilation. In Odisha, where malaria and helminthic infections are endemic, even mild anaemia during pregnancy can severely deteriorate respiratory functions.

Aims & Objectives: Aim of the study is to evaluate pulmonary functions in three trimesters of pregnancy and to compare them with those of non-pregnant women and to define standards of normalcy in pregnancy in Odia women.

Materials and Methods: The study comprised of 150 pregnant women in age group 20-60 years. 150 healthy age matched non- pregnant women served as controls. The pulmonary function was assessed in all subjects by Medspiror having Helios 401 software. The pulmonary function parameters studied were Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Forced expiratory flow (FEF25-75%), Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). The parameters were compared by using Student’s t-test and ANOVA.

Results: A significant decline in FVC (p=0.005), FEV1 (p

Key words: Pulmonary Functions; Pregnancy; Anaemia; Progesterone; Vital Capacity