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.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|September 11, 2025
PubMed

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.
Abstract