PLATELET COUNT: A PROGNOSTIC INDICATOR IN PREECLAMPSIA AND ECLAMPSIA

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is one of the major complications of pregnancy. It forms the fatal triad along with the haemorrhage and infection that contributes greatly to fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality.Of the various parameters used, platelet count is the most simple and cost effective method for prediction of PIH(Pregnancy induced hypertension).This study soughts the importance of platelet count as the most consistent and reliable method in early detection of PIH cases. Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted on 164 cases and 70 controls over a period of 2 years. The bleeding time, clotting time, hemoglobin estimation and platelet count were performed.The patients were classied into mild preeclamptic, severe preeclamptic and eclamptic based on the clinical and haematological parameters. Observations: The platelet count in severe preeclampsia and eclampsia was signicantly lower than in mild pre eclampsia and controls. Thrombocytopenia was seen in total 35 cases of severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia combined,out of which 30 (85.7%) had poor maternal outcome and 34 (97.1%) poor fetal outcome. Conclusion:The frequency of thrombocytopenia is found to be directly related with the severity of disease. So routine test like platelet count can be used as a simple and cost effective tool to monitor the progression of preeclampsia and and plan preemptive management strategies that has been proven to have a crucial role in reducing the morbidity and mortality of both mother and fetus