Frequency of Gestational Thrombocytopenia in Pregnant OPD Patients: Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: Gestational thrombocytopenia can lead to fatal complications. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of Gestational Thrombocytopenia in pregnant patients attending antenatal outpatients department (OPD) at a tertiary care hospital, Karachi.

Methodology: This Descriptive observational study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Creek general hospital, United Medical & Dental College. All normotensive pregnant patients with no history of Malaria, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) were asked to get CBC done which was followed throughout pregnancy. Low platelet counts (<150 x109/L, the patients were followed up with CBC every 10 days to see the decline. Platelet count of 1208 patients was performed using Minray BC 30 automated analyzer.

Results: Out of 1208 pregnant patients, thrombocytopenia was present in 112 (9.3%); 454 were prim gravida, 269 (22.33%) were second gravida while 485 (40.1%) were multigravida. Out of 112 patients, mild thrombocytopenia was seen in 78 (69.6%), moderate thrombocytopenia was seen in 20 (17.9%) while severe thrombocytopenia was present in 14 (12.5%). Total 996 (82.5%) delivered vaginally; thrombocytopenia was present in 96 (85.7%). Lower segment Cesarian section (LSCS) was done in 212 and 16 (14.3%) had thrombocytopenia. No PPH and safe fetal outcome seen.

Conclusion: In our study, the majority of the patients had mild gestational thrombocytopenia in pregnancy with no fatal complications. Pregnant females should be routinely screened for thrombocytopenia to avoid the disastrous complication of postpartum hemorrhage.