Platelet Indices During Pregnancy in Enugu Women

Abstract

Background: Following anaemia, thrombocytopenia a blood count below 150 x 10⁹ cells /L is the next leading cause of blood disorders in pregnancy. Physiologically, low platelet count has been found to occur during normal pregnancy as a result of haemodilution, more consumption in peripheral tissue and increased aggregation. The aim of this study was to evaluate platelet indices of pregnant women attending antenatal at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital. Place and duration of study: This case control study was conducted in the Department of Haematology, in collaboration with the Antenatal Unit of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital during the period of May to October 2020.Methodology: Patients with 12 weeks' gestation and who are between the ages of 20-35years and attended at antenatal care unit were selected for the study. Blood samples were taken from patient at 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 36 weeks for platelet count and platelet indices. Platelet count and platelet indices were measured in automated haematology analyzer. Results:In this study, 3 (6.5%) of pregnant women had mild thrombocytopenia (100-<150 x 10⁹ cells /L). The mean ± standard deviation of platelet count among pregnant women, 233.48 ± 69.32 was significantly lower compared with non-pregnant women, 307.40 ± 62.84 (p= < 0.001). While the mean ± standard deviation of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet-large cell ratio (PLCR) of pregnant women, 11.50 ± 0.44 and 33.09 ± 7.33 were significantly higher compared with non- pregnant women, 9.40 ± 0.35 and 25.30 ± 3.32 respectively (p= 0.002 and <0.001 respectively). However, no significant differences were found in the platelet count and platelet indices when the parameters were compared based on the trimester and age. Platelet count strongly correlated with plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet large cell coefficient (P-LCC) (<0.001). However, platelet count negatively correlated with mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width. Conclusion: Based on this finding it can be concluded that there are mild thrombocytopenia, decreased platelet count, increased MPV and P-LCR in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women.

key words, platelet, pregnant, women

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/109-03

Publication date:June 30^th 2023