A prospective study investigating the mechanism of thrombocytopenia in preeclampsia.

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Obstet Gynecol. 1987 Sep;70(3 Pt 1):334-8.

A prospective study investigating the mechanism of

thrombocytopenia in preeclampsia.
Burrows RF, Hunter DJ, Andrew M, Kelton JG.

Abstract
Hemostatic and platelet function studies were performed prospectively on 61 preeclamptic
patients and 24 healthy pregnant control patients to delineate possible causes of
thrombocytopenia in preeclampsia. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 50% of the preeclamptic
patients, and was accompanied by qualitative platelet defects as shown by an increased
bleeding time and decreased biosynthesis of thromboxane A2. All patients had normal routine
coagulation and protamine sulphate paracoagulation assays. All nulliparous patients had normal
levels of fibrinopeptide A, but approximately 60% of parous patients had slight elevations of
fibrinopeptide A. Elevated levels of platelet-associated immunoglobulin G (IgG) were
demonstrated in 35% of all preeclamptic patients and were inversely correlated (r = -0.524) with
the severity of the thrombocytopenia. This study indicates that, at least in nulliparous patients,
thrombin action is not a major contributor to the development of thrombocytopenia in
preeclampsia. The observation of elevated levels of platelet-associated IgG suggests that
immune mechanisms could contribute to the thrombocytopenia in some patients.

PMID: 3627580
[Indexed for MEDLINE]

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