UNLOCKING THE FUTURE OF MATERNAL HEALTH: PLATELET INDICES AS PREDICTORS OF PREECLAMPSIA

Abstract

Objective: Preeclampsia is a dangerous pregnancy condition that puts the health of the mother and fetus at great risk. Early diagnosis and treatment of this illness depend on predictive signs. Because of their correlation with coagulation problems, platelet indices, such as platelet count (PC), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet crit (PCT), may be useful as biomarkers for preeclampsia. The purpose of this study is to find out how well platelet indices can predict preeclampsia. Methods: From Mar 1, 2021, to Feb 28, 2022, the study was carried out at the Kamla Nehru State Hospital for Mother and Child in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Pregnant women without pre-existing illnesses were removed, and those with normotension who had singleton pregnancies after 20 w of gestation were included. Patients were classified according to the degree and course of preeclampsia, and platelet indices were monitored during pregnancy. To ascertain the significance of fluctuations in the platelet index, statistical tests were conducted and data were analyzed using SPSS-PC-25. Results: According to the study, patients with preeclampsia (PE) and normotensive individuals had significantly different platelet indices. Compared to people with normotension, PE patients showed higher platelet distribution width (PDW), a lower platelet count, and an elevated mean platelet volume (MPV). Interestingly, MPV increased noticeably in PE before blood pressure rose. In severe PE patients, the platelet count drastically reduced. The potential of MPV and platelet count as predictors of PE was shown by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. These results demonstrate the importance of platelet indices in the diagnosis of PE and the potential use of these indices as early indicators of this hypertensive condition in pregnancy. Conclusion: Platelet indices show potential as early indicators for identifying and tracking preeclampsia, especially platelet count, MPV, and PDW. Monitoring platelet indices in addition to blood pressure may help determine the extent and course of the illness, which might lead to better results for both the mother and the fetus. To improve clinical usefulness and improve prediction models, more research in this area is necessary.