Study on significance of platelet indices, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio as early parameters in prediction of preeclampsia

• Author Details:   
• Meghadeepa Srinivasa ^*
• Suma KB
• Harshadeepa Srinivasa
• Sahana Kashyap
• Pooja C Shekar
• Yashas Ullas Lokesha

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Background: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder and a major contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity worldwide. Its etiology is closely associated with abnormal placentation, oxidative stress, and widespread endothelial dysfunction. Recent studies have emphasized the potential of platelet activation markers and systemic inflammatory indices in predicting its onset. This study investigates the diagnostic utility of platelet indices and leukocyte-derived parameters during early pregnancy for identifying women at risk of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR), offering a potentially cost-effective and timely screening approach.

Aims & Objective: To evaluate the significance of Platelet indices, Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and Platelet to Lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as early pregnancy parameters to predict occurrence of Preeclampsia.

Materials and Methods: A prospective study carried out on 135 pregnant women in 8-14 weeks of pregnancy either visiting to OBG OPD for regular checkups or admitted under OBG department of JSS Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka. A complete blood count was performed. “Hemoglobin, platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit, platelet distribution width (PDW), lymphocyte count, and neutrophil count were measured. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated.

Results: In this study, 73 (54.1%) subjects were in age group of < 25 years. Majority of women (50.4%) were primigravidae. During follow-up, 35 (25.9%) women found to have preeclampsia. Mean platelet count, plateletcrit (PCT) and PDW were lower among women who developed preeclampsia and even more in severe PE compared to normal subjects. Mean Neutrophil and NLR were higher among women who developed preeclampsia and more so in severe PE. Mean lymphocyte count and PLR were lower in subjects who developed preeclampsia compared to normal subjects. Among 135, 20 had foetal distress of which 45% of babies were born to mothers with preeclampsia. A total of 23 (17.0%) women had foetal growth restriction. Mean platelet count, plateletcrit, PLR were lower among women who had foetal growth restriction compared to normal subjects.

Conclusion: Present study may conclude that there is a significant relationship between platelet indices and leucocyte parameters with preeclampsia. The estimation of these parameters may be considered as reliable, economic and rapid method for prediction of preeclampsia.