Levels of alloantibodies to human platelet antigen in relation to blood dyscrasia occurring at various trimesters of pregnancy

Context Thrombocytopenia is major complication in complicated and uncomplicated pregnancies. Aims The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy and determine possible immune thrombocytopenia correlates with blood dyscrasia involving other cellular components of blood. Settings and design The study was an institution-based cross sectional study. Participants and methods The full blood count of 200 women attending an antenatal center was determined. Sera of 73 (36.5%) thrombocytopenic women defined by a platelet count less than 80×10 9 /l and inadequate platelet in the peripheral blood film were evaluated for circulating antiplatelet antibody directed against platelet membrane glycoprotein GPIIb/llla. Statistical analysis Pearson and Kendall′s tau-b correlation analysis was carried out on data using the SPSS (PASW version 18) statistical package. Results The antibody was detected in two (3%), 13 (17%), and 44 (60%) of the subset of patients in the first, second, and third trimester, respectively. Fourteen (20%) of the women had no detectable antiplatelet antibody. The idiopathic immune thrombocytopenia observed in the patients was associated with anemia and leukopenia in four (9%) patients in the third trimester of pregnancy. A significant correlation was observed between thrombocytopenia and the red cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume of the women. Irregular attendance at an antenatal clinic and nonutilization of hematinic were evident in groups of thrombocytopenic and anemic women. There was a negative correlation between the occurrence of antiplatelet antibody and the severity of thrombocytopenia. Conclusion There is a need to distinguish immune thrombocytopenia from gestational thrombocytopenia and assess other blood parameters in pregnancy for a proper clinical intervention.