Mean platelet volumes in babies of preeclamptic mothers

The aim of this study was to compare the mean platelet volume (MPV) in babies of preeclamptic and normal pregnant women and to investigate the correlation between thrombocytopenia and MPV in the babies of preeclamptic mothers. A total of 63 newborns with similar gestational ages were included in this retrospective study. They were divided into three groups as 21 babies of preeclamptic mothers with thrombocytopenia (Group A), 21 without thrombocytopenia (Group B), and 21 babies of normal pregnant women without thrombocytopenia (Group C). Hematologic data of these patients, obtained in the first 72 h of their life, were obtained from their medical records. Groups were compared according to their birth weights, platelet counts, and MPV. Gestational ages and birth weights of all groups were similar. The platelet count of group A was significantly lower (P < 0.001). MPV seemed to increase as platelet counts decreased when the groups were compared. However, no significant correlation was found between MPV and platelet counts and no significant difference between MPVs (P = 0.052). Increase in MPV is accepted as a sign of platelet destruction and decrease as a sign of platelet production insufficiency. Our results showed that the cause of thrombocytopenia in babies of preeclamptic mothers cannot be explained with the help of MPV.