Platelet Indices in Pre-Eclampsia Among Pregnant Women at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, South East Nigeria

This study evaluates platelet indices including platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) in pre-eclamptic women compared to normotensive pregnant and non-pregnant controls at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA), Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria. Pre-eclampsia involves significant platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction, and platelet indices have emerged as accessible surrogate markers for these processes. A case-control study enrolled 80 pre-eclamptic patients, 80 normotensive pregnant women, and 60 non-pregnant healthy women attending obstetric and gynaecology services. Platelet parameters were determined using an automated analyser, and blood pressure readings and proteinuria data were obtained from clinical records. Findings showed significantly lower platelet counts and significantly elevated MPV and PDW in pre-eclamptic patients compared to both control groups. Thrombocytopenia below 100 times ten to the ninth per litre was observed in 27.5 percent of pre-eclamptic patients. MPV showed a significant negative correlation with platelet count and a positive correlation with blood pressure severity. Severe pre-eclampsia cases had the most pronounced platelet index derangements. The study recommends serial platelet index monitoring as part of pre-eclampsia surveillance protocols at FETHA, proposing MPV as an affordable early indicator of worsening thrombocytopenia before platelet count falls to critical levels. Keywords: pre-eclampsia, platelet count, mean platelet volume, thrombocytopenia, Abakaliki.