Publication:

Thrombocytopenia during pregnancy: an institutional based prospective study of one year

Background Platelets are non-nucleated cellular fragments of megakaryocytes, they play a critical role in haemostasis. Thrombocytopenia, defined as blood platelet count below 150.000/μL is the second leading cause of blood disorders in pregnancy after anemia. It complicates 7 to 10% of all pregnancies. Gestational thrombocytopenia explains 70-80% of all cases of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Hypertensive disorders account for approximately 20% and immune thrombocytopenic purpura for about 3-4%. Other etiologies are considered rare in pregnancy.

Methods The study was conducted in the tertiary institute over a period of one year, from January 2016 to December 2016. The samples of blood were collected from the Antenatal out-patient department and from indoor patients of the department of gynecology and obstetrics of the J.K. Hospital, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India.

Results Maximum number of patients had moderate degree of anemia around 58%. Most of the cases presented during 30-34 weeks of gestation. The most common etiology was gestational thrombocytopenia.

Conclusions Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy may occur secondary to a variety of causes. Most of these cases occur during specific periods of gestation. Management of pregnant women with platelet disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach and close collaboration between obstetric and hepatologist.