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Published on: January 26, 2024
Effects of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia on platelet parameters in small for gestational age preterm infants
Huiling Huang1,2, Jing Zhao1,3, Jichong Huang1,3
1Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Insights
Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) did not significantly alter platelet parameters in small for gestational age (SGA) infants, except for a lower platelet count (PLT) on day 7 in infants born to mothers with PE/E.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Hematology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) is a significant pregnancy complication.
- Small for gestational age (SGA) infants often exhibit altered physiological parameters.
- The impact of maternal PE/E on neonatal platelet indices in SGA infants requires further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if maternal PE/E influences platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) in SGA infants.
- To assess the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in SGA infants based on maternal PE/E status.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 245 SGA preterm infants was studied.
- Infants were categorized based on maternal PE/E status.
- Platelet parameters (PLT, MPV, PDW) and thrombocytopenia were evaluated within the first 30 days postpartum.
Main Results:
- SGA neonates born to mothers with PE/E showed a significantly lower PLT on Day 7 compared to those born to mothers without PE/E (P=0.0211).
- MPV and PDW increased in the first week of life and then stabilized.
- No significant differences were observed in MPV, PDW, or thrombocytopenia prevalence between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Maternal PE/E does not appear to significantly alter most platelet parameters in SGA neonates.
- SGA itself may be the primary driver of observed changes in neonatal platelet indices.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between PE/E, SGA, and neonatal hematological outcomes.
Objectives:
To investigate whether pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) alters platelet parameters, including platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW), in small for gestational age (SGA) infants.
Methods:
We enrolled 245 SGA preterm infants between 2020 and 2023. They were grouped according to their mother's PE/E status. We assessed the PLT, MPV, PDW, and prevelence of thrombocytopenia during the first 30 days after birth. Groups were compared using either χ2 test or Fisher's exact test.
Results:
SGA neonates born to mothers with PE/E had a lower PLT on Day 7 than those born to mothers without PE/E (P = 0.0211). PDW and MPV values gradually increased for the first several days, and eventually stabilized around the first week. There was no statistical difference in MPV, PDW, or thrombocytopenia prevalence between SGA neonates between born to mothers with PE/E and those born to mothers without PE/E.
Conclusions:
Evidence to support an association between PE/E and platelets parameter in neonates is limited. SGA may be the real reason for alterations in platelet parameters in neonates.

