Associating Decrease in Platelet Count with Gestational Attendees in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt Antenatal Clinic

Maintenance of hemostasis is enabled by the presence of nonnucleated blood cell type known as platelets, produced by the cellular fragments of megakaryocytes. Platelet count below <150,000×103/mm3 can pave way for the occurrence of thrombocytopenia. Occurrence of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is one of the commonest abnormalities encountered, though benign in nature, resolves after birth. It is important to investigate for thrombocytopaenia due to the need for good haemostasis during pregnancy and the risk of neonatal hemorrhage. This study aimed at associating decrease in platelet count with gestational attendees in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt antenatal clinic. A total of 120 apparently healthy pregnant women were coopted into the study. Whole blood samples were drawn into EDTA anticoagulant bottles for analysis of platelet count using a Sysmex autoanalyser. Data was analysed using graph pad prism version 6.0. Revelations from the study showed the prevalence of thrombocytopaenia in pregnancy as 3.33%, the mean platelet count was (218.1±63.94). Mean platelet count did not differ in groups based on gestational age (first trimester - 202.6 ± 63.08, second trimester - 221.8 ± 60.54 , third trimester - 226.3±69.36, P=0.2784) and maternal age (<21=204.5±34.65, 21-30=211.3±60.59, 31-40=219.2±62.12,> 40=304.0±128.2 P=0.1083). Mean platelet count based on parity showed significant increase between the second and the third group (0-1=221.4±71.78, 2-3=203.0±49.45, 4 and above=269.7±33.80, P=0.0128). It is important that pregnant women be examined for platelet count in early stage of pregnancy to avoid maternal and fetal consequences.