Publication:

Fetomaternal outcome in pregnancy with gestational thrombocytopenia: a cross sectional study

Background Thrombocytopenia is second to anemia as the most common haematological abnormality during pregnancy. Objective of this study was to study the clinical profile, maternal and perinatal outcomes in thrombocytopenic antenatal patients.

Methods A prospective study was carried out in tertiary hospital, 280 pregnant women who attended the Antenatal clinic regularly were enrolled. All were screened for thrombocytopenia in third trimester (after 28 weeks), women with normal platelet (n=140) were taken in control group and those with low counts less than 150×109/L (n=140) were included in study group. Maternal and fetal outcome of thrombocytopenia in third trimester of pregnancy were studied.

Results Majority of women with gestational thrombocytopenia had mild thrombocytopenia (70.71%). 30.72% patients with thrombocytopenia had hemorrhagic manifestations. Maternal and perinatal complications like PPH (27.14%), puerperial sepsis (9.28%), placental abruption (5%), need for transfusion (20%), neonatal jaundice (20%), neonatal thrombocytopenia (12.14%), birth asphyxia (12.86%), NICU admission (12.14%), low Apgar (37.14%), need for resuscitation (30%), were more in patients with thrombocytopenia as compared to their age and parity matched controls.

Conclusions According to this study results, pregnancies with gestational thrombocytopenia, as compared to the control group, were at a higher risk of cesarean section, intrauterine fetal death, preterm delivery, low Apgar scores, more NICU admission rate, intracranial hemorrhage, neonatal death, or adverse maternal outcome.