Platelet indices in SGA newborns

The current study objective was to compare blood platelet indices in full-term small-for-gestational-age newborns (SGA) and full-term appropriate-for-gestational-age newborns (AGA).

We introduced to our study 61 SGA newborns (31 females and 30 males) and 70 eutrophic infants (32 females and 38 males). The SGA newborns were divided into two groups: those weighing less than the 5th centile: 35 infants (16 females and 19 males) and those between the 5th and 10th centiles: 26 infants (15 females and 11 males). Platelet indices were estimated in blood samples collected from the umbilical artery.

SGA demonstrated a decreased count of blood platelets (238×103/μ) as compared with AGA (286×103/μL), p=0.0001. Platelet hematocrit (PTC) also showed differences in both groups (SGA=0.19% vs. AGA=0.22%; p=0.0005). Mean platelet volume (MPV) was higher in SGA (8.25fl) as compared with AGA (7.84fl); p=0.008. Large platelet count (LPLT) was higher in AGA 6.26% vs. SGA=4.75%; p=0.01. Platelet distribution width (PDW) was found to be nearly the same (SGA=47%, AGA=46%). PDW was higher in SGA newborns < 5th centile (43%) as compared with SGA infants between the 5th and 10th centiles (52%); p=0.008.

A decreased blood platelet count, platelet hematocrit and large metabolically active platelet count, which in addition to reduced synthesis and excessive consumption of coagulation factors in states of hiperclotting is characteristic of IUGR, enhances the possibility of bleeding complications and increases the risk of infections. From a clinical point of view, it is important to take into consideration the degree of intrauterine hypotrophy during the evaluation of hemostatic disorders.