Impact of Preeclampsia onPlatelet Count and Platelet Indices among Sudanese Pregnant Women in Gezira State

Background: Preeclampsia is considered one of the major health problems is associated with pregnancy and one of the causes of maternal mortality. The pathogenesis of preeclampsia associated with platelets activation. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the platelets parameters (platelet count and platelet indices) in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Methodology: This is a case-control laboratory-basedstudy carried out in Wad Medani Obstetrics and Gynecology Teaching Hospital, Gezira State, Sudan from January to November 2020. A total of 50 pregnant women with preeclampsia as cases (32.20 ± 3.21 years) and 50 normotensive pregnant women as controls (30.68 ± 2.85 years)participated in this study. Three ml of venous blood samples were collected from all participants in K3 EDTA containers. platelets parameters (platelet count and platelet indices) were determined using Mindray BC 3000 Automated Hematology Analyzer. Data were analyzed usingthe SPSS computer program (version 22). Results: The study results showed that the thrombocytopenia account for 56 %, all cases with low PCT (100%). Furthermore, the means of PLTs count, PCT and PDW in cases were (144.40 ± 31.80 × 109/L, 0.13 ± 0.03 % and 15.80 ± 0.45 fl respectively) versus controls (269.40 ± 72.50 × 109/L, 0.22 ± 0.05 % and 15.50 ± 0.29 fl respectively), giving statistically significant differences (P value = 0.000, 0.003 and 0.022 respectively). The mean of PCT of mild cases was lower than severe cases (P value = 0.004); but there were no significant differences in PLTs count, MPV and PDW (P value = 0.379, 0.283 and 0.075 respectively). Conclusion: The study concluded that platelet count (PLTs count) and plateletcrit (PCT) were significantly decreased in pregnant women with preeclampsia especially, so, platelets parameters especially (PLTs count and PCT) should beincluded for assessing and predictingthe risk of severe preeclampsia.