Effect of gestational age, prematurity and birth asphyxia on platelet indices in neonates

Abstract

Context: Platelet indices are useful markers of platelet maturity and function and can be used for the early diagnosis of thromboembolic disorders. Prematurity, birth asphyxia (BA) and small for gestational age (SGA) babies have been associated with increased risk of hemostatic abnormalities. Aims: The aim was to study the platelet indices in prematuriy, SGA, and BA newborns. Settings and Design: The type of this study is Prospective study. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 253 newborns were collected in K2EDTA (Becton Dickenson, USA) tubes within 24 h of birth. The following parameters were studied - platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW). Data regarding the neonatal physiological status with respect to prematurity, gestational age and BA were collected. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical analysis was performed on the entire sample used was mean, standard deviation and one-way ANOVA. P <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The average platelet count in preterm, SGA, and BA newborn was significantly lower than the average platelet count in controls. MPV averaged 8.29 fL, 8.16 fL, and 8.35 fL in preterm, SGA and BA neonate, respectively and was significantly increased. PCT was 0.18% in preterm, SGA and in BA. Though, the difference was not statistically significant. PDW was significantly increased in preterm, SGA, and BA newborns when compared with controls. Conclusions: MPV, PDW was significantly increased in SGA, premature and BA newborns, which may be due to platelet activation. Platelet indices may provide to be a useful marker of thromboembolic status in newborns.