Title: Prevalence of Gestational Thrombocytopenia: A Hospital Based Study
Authors: Dr Humera Manzoor, Dr Shaheeda Akhtar, Dr Arshi Taj, Dr Mohammad Ommid, Dr Shahzada Gani, Dr Farhana Bashir
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i1.19
Abstract
Background: Thrombocytopenia affects 6% to 10% of all pregnant women and other than anemia is the most common hematologic disorder in pregnancy. There are many potential causes of pregnancy associated thrombocytopenia. Pregnancy is associated with numerous metabolic, immunologic, and other homeostatic changes that require careful consideration when attempting to define the cause of thrombocytopenia in a particular individual. The present study was conducted to know the prevalence of gestational thrombocytopenia in our hospital in Kashmir valley.
Aim: To find out the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy; as per age; as per parity i.e. in primigravidae and in multigravidae and in relation to the demographic profile of the patients.
Methods: An observational study was conducted in 1000 pregnant patients in our maternity hospital who were enrolled at the first antenatal visit, irrespective of the gestational age. Platelet count estimation was done through an automated blood count analyzer. Women whose platelet count was done before 28 weeks had a repeat count done in the third trimester to detect gestational thrombocytopenia (GT). Platelet count was repeated once in each trimester.
Results: Majority of studied subjects were aged between 30-34 years with 31.8% primigravidae and 68.2% multigravidae. Prevalence of gestational thrombocytopenia was 43.7%. As per parity it was 41.2% in primigravidae and 44.9% in multigravidae patients with a p value of 0.276 and as per age 42.7% were <30 years and 44.5 were >30 years with a p value of 0.576. Prevalence of thrombocytopenia was highest in district Srinagar 51.4% followed by Pulwama 50.5% and then Budgam 47.7%.
Conclusion: Gestational thrombocytopenia is the most common cause of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy and is not associated with any adverse events both for the mother or the baby. A proper evaluation and appropriate management, by both the obstetrician and haematologist plays a significant role in preventing ensuing complications. Further studies are required to know the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy, its causes and the effects on the mother and the baby.
Keywords: Gestational thrombocytopenia, Platelet count, primigravidae, multigravidae Obstetric thrombocytopenia, Medical thrombocytopenia, Pregnancy with ITP.
