Pregnancy induced hypertension: changes in coagulation profile of newborns

Coagulation parameters and platelet count were studied in 30 neonates of mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). 30 neonates born to normotensive mothers were taken as controls. The test group was further subdivided as neonates born to mothers with gestational hypertension, pre-eclamptic toxemia and eclampsia. The values of Prothrombin Time, Partial Thromboplastin Time with Kaolin, Thrombin Time, Fibrinogen Degradation Products were significantly raised and Fibrinogen and Platelet count were reduced significantly in both term and preterm test groups as compared to controls. The derangement in coagulation parameters was more marked with increasing severity of PIH.