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Published on: November 20, 2015
Does prematurity affect platelet indices?
A Wasiluk1, J Osada, M Dabrowska
1Department of Neonatology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. awasiluk@umwb.edu.pl
Purpose:
The current study objective was to compare blood platelet indices in preterm newborns (PTN) and full term newborns (FTN).
Materials And Methods:
We introduced to our study 51 PTN (25 females, 26 males) and 55 FTN (25 females, 30 males). Platelet indices were estimated in blood samples collected from the umbilical artery.
Results:
PTN demonstrated a decreased count of blood platelets (197 x 103/microL) as compared to FTN (287 x 103/microL), p=0.0001. Platelet hematocrit (PCT) also showed substantial differences in both groups (PTN=0.16% vs. FTN=0.22%; p=0.001). Mean platelet volume (MPV) was found to be nearly the same (PTN=8.02 fl, FTN=7.79 fl). Platelet distribution width (PDW) was higher in PTN (50.64%) than in FTN (46.54%), p=0.021. Large platelet count (LPLT) was diminished in PTN (5.23%) in comparison with FTN (6.12 %).
Conclusions:
A decreased count of blood platelets, platelet hematocrit and increased platelet distribution width may result from a low gestational age or a dysfunction of megakaryocytes and the placenta. Blood platelet indices may be vital in the diagnosis of haemostatic disorders.
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