ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in neonates born to mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and identify the associated material and neonatal characteristics. METHODS: In the current, prospective study, platelet counts were assessed serially. Maternal and neonatal characteristic were recorded in pre-designed proforma. Primary outcome measures were thrombocytopenia defined as platelet count of <150,000/mm(3) and severe thrombocytopenia if counts were <30,000/mm(3) or <50,000/mm(3) with bleeding. RESULTS: Of 97 neonates born to PIH mothers 35 (36.1%) had thrombocytopenia. In 20 (20.6%) thrombocytopenia was severe. Higher percentage of thrombocytopenia was associated with male gender (47.7%), low birth weight (71.4%) and prematurity (67.4%). Severe thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with low birth weight (OR: 4.58; 95% CI: 0.98-21.3; p<0.03) and prematurity (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 0.87-7.24; p<0.05). Material parity, onset of PIH, and medications did not seem to be associated significantly. CONCLUSION: Premature and low birth weight neonates born to mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension would require scrutiny for thrombocytopenia during early neonatal period.