Introduction: Prognosis and proper management of preeclampsia may improve maternal and neonatal outcome. Different clinical and laboratory parameters are used to demonstrate prognosis of preeclampsia, but there is no appropriate and cost-effective test for differentiating between mild and sever preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to assess the prognosis value of platelet indices in preeclampsia.
Methods: This case control study was conducted on 110 cases of preeclampsia and 135 normal pregnant women in Sanandaj city in 2011. All pregnant women with gestational age more than 20 weeks who referred to midwifery ward of Besat hospital and fulfilled inclusion criteria. Cell blood count and platelet indices were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5, chi square, Fisher, independent t-test and Mann-Whitney tests. ROC (Receiver operating characteristic) curve was used for finding cut-off-point. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: In order to differentiate between mild and severe preeclampsia, the largest area under the ROC curve area was assessed for platelet distribution width, platelet large cell ratio, and then mean platelet volume indices. The platelet distribution width index was 0.701 in the area under the ROC curve and the cut-off-point was calculated as 16.7 for this index; sensitivity and specificity were 46.4% and 92.6% respectively at this point. The number of leukocyte, hemoglobin and hematocrit were not verified as good prognosis indices.
Conclusion: None of platelet indices (platelet large cell ratio, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width) had prognosis value for differentiation between preeclampsia from normal pregnancy. However, platelet distribution width was the best index and platelet large cell ratio and mean platelet volume indices were the next choices for differentiation between mild and severe preeclampsia.