Relevance of Measurement of Hematological Parameters in Subjects with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Background: The pregnancy induced hypertensive (PIH) mothers are at greater risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and intrauterine death of foetus (IUD). But currently there are no suitable early indicators of PIH mothers at risk of IUGR and IUD. Aims/objectives: To assess the various routinely measured hematological parameters in assessment of PIH mothers at risk of IUGR and IUD. Methods: This was a retrospective study done in singleton mothers. Study Group: 75 subjects with PIH. They were divided in to: Group A (n=35): PIH subjects with IUGR and IUD. Group B (n=40): PIH subjects without IUGR and IUD. Controls: 62 normotensives. Blood parameters measured were: platelets, packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), differential leucocyte count. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA and Bonferroni test. P<0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Among the measured blood parameters, platelet count was lower in group A and group B compared to control (p<0.0001). Platelets were also lower in group A compared to group B (p<0.0001). Hemoglobin and PCV were lower in group A compared to controls and group B (p<0.001). Monocytes and ESR were lower in group A and group B compared to controls (p<0.05, p<0.001 respectively). Neutrophils were lower in group A compared to control (p<0.05). Other pairwise comparisons did not differ significantly. Conclusions: Platelet count may be a suitable marker in monitoring subjects with PIH at risk of IUGR and IUD. Anemia may be associated with IUD and IUGR in PIH patients.