Abstract:
Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related illness characterized by high
blood pressure (BP) and proteinuria after the 20th gestational week (GW). Platelet
(PLT) parameter changes are the common hematological abnormalities observed in PE
patients. The main aim of this study was to assess the role of PLT parameters for PE
diagnosis among pregnant women.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the University
of Gondar Specialized Hospital. A total of 126 pregnant women (63 normotensive
[NT] and 63 PE) were recruited using a convenient sampling method. Three milliliter
blood was collected from each participant, and PLT parameters were determined
using Sysmex XS-500i analyzer. An independent t-test supplemented with receiveroperating characteristics (ROC) were used for comparisons and diagnostic value of
PLT parameters between the study groups.
Results: Platelet count (PC) was significantly lower in the PE group compared to that
in the NT group, whereas mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR),
and platelet distribution width (PDW) were significantly higher in PE. MPV had the
largest area under the curve (AUC) [0.91: 95% CI; 0.85–0.96] followed by PC [0.79:
95% CI; 0.72–0.87]. MPV can differentiate PE patients from NT pregnant women at
cut-off value ≥12.10 fl (84.1% sensitivity and 87.3% specificity) while PC can indicate
PE at a cut-off value ≤176.5 × 109/L (65.1% sensitivity and 87.3% specificity).
Conclusion: A decreased PC and an increased MPV, P-LCR, and PDW can be used as
a simple, cost-effective, quick, and reliable method of PE screening. Of them, MPV is
the best indicator of PE.
K E Y W O R D S
platelet parameter, preeclampsia, pregnancy
