Why does preeclampsia cause low platelets

No one test can diagnose gestational thrombocytopenia, so your doctor will work with you to rule out other causes of low platelets before diagnosing you. If your platelet count falls below , platelets per microliter of blood, your doctor will likely perform additional tests, as this level is an indication that there is another cause for your thrombocytopenia.

If your platelet level is below 40, to 50, platelets, then a diagnosis of gestational thrombocytopenia is very unlikely. Thrombocytopenia is usually considered pregnancy-specific when you have never experienced low platelets in the past other than during previous pregnancies and the baby is not affected.

Gestational thrombocytopenia usually begins mid-pregnancy and worsens as the pregnancy progresses. It then resolves on its own within one to two months of giving birth. Once the platelet count falls below , platelets, ITP is more likely to be the cause. Once your doctor has diagnosed you with gestational thrombocytopenia, the two of you will discuss which precautions, if any, need to be taken during the rest of your pregnancy and postpartum period.

To monitor your platelet level, your doctor will order a complete blood count CBC blood test, which measures your platelet count. The frequency of tests will depend on your platelet level and symptoms you are experiencing. With gestational thrombocytopenia, bleeding problems rarely, if ever, occur. However, measuring your platelet count at the time of labor and delivery is important because if platelets drop below ,, another cause of the low platelet count may be present. In that case, such extra precautions may be necessary to prevent bleeding.

It is possible for thrombocytopenia during pregnancy to be caused by preeclampsia. Preeclampsia involves high blood pressure and signs of organ damage during pregnancy. It usually occurs after the 20th week. Rarely, preeclampsia can occur after childbirth as well. It often has no symptoms at all, but you may notice sudden weight gain or swelling in the hands and feet.

Preeclampsia needs to be monitored closely as severe, untreated cases can lead to eclampsia a seizure disorder or HELLP syndrome a multi-organ syndrome.

For those at high risk, daily low-dose aspirin may be recommended to help prevent preeclampsia and its related complications.

Once this condition develops, the only cure is delivery of the baby. No, gestational thrombocytopenia is simply an exaggeration of the normal drop in platelets that occurs with pregnancy. Women who have gestational thrombocytopenia with one pregnancy are more likely to have it with subsequent pregnancies, but the condition is also benign with these subsequent pregnancies. Gestational thrombocytopenia is caused by the natural changes occurring in your body during pregnancy. When you are expecting, your body increases its blood volume, causing hemodilution.

This occurs when the blood plasma increases while the number of platelets remains the same. This leads to a lower platelet count per microliter of blood. In addition to hemodilution, an increased blood volume causes the spleen to become enlarged. When this happens, the enlarged spleen traps and destroys more platelet cells during the filtering process. There is no specific treatment for gestational thrombocytopenia, and none is required because it does not produce bleeding problems or any other problems with labor, delivery, or with the baby.

No, gestational thrombocytopenia does not pose a risk to you or your baby. Gestational thrombocytopenia is usually a natural part of pregnancy. Your doctor will monitor your platelets throughout your pregnancy, and recommend any needed treatments. If your platelet count falls below 80, per microliter of blood, your thrombocytopenia may be caused by something else. Pregnancy is a time of rapid change and can be filled with uncertainty.

If you have noticed symptoms of thrombocytopenia such as bleeding gums or frequent bruising, talk with your doctor. Being diagnosed with gestational thrombocytopenia can be scary, but keep in mind that most women experience lower platelet counts temporarily toward the end of their pregnancies.

Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Updated May 25, Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. In a study from Ethiopia The preponderance of primigravida cases accounts for the young age group of the present study group.

Annually around 1 lakh women die worldwide due to eclampsia with an estimated rate of one death every 3 min worldwide caused by preeclampsia and eclampsia. Preeclampsia causes poor maternal and fetal outcomes having a predictable onset and progression that may be cured by termination of pregnancy.

Though most of these conditions can be prevented, or identified and treated early by good antenatal care; the situation is still not very bright in rural India. Various systems of classifications are noted in literature with modifications being made constantly[14] making comparison difficult. Bangal et al. While Mohammed et al. Wolde et al. In a study from Bhopal by Anand and Kirshnanand et al.

These differences could be due to small sample size of our study and the social ethnic and cultural difference in group of population studied as noted by Wolde et al. It has been shown by earlier researchers that hematological aberrations such as thrombocytopenia and reduction in some plasma clotting factors may develop in preeclampsia women.

A continuous decline in platelet count as pregnancy advances was shown by Fay et al. This together with hemodilution and platelet trapping results in decreased platelet. Some authors have suggested that thrombocytopenia is caused due to peripheral consumption, endothelial damage, and reduced life span. Altered platelet membrane with accelerated aggregation and destruction have also been suggested.

Meshram et al. Low platelet count was seen in Studies by Khan A et al. The authors in their study have documented similar findings from India by Annam V et al. Majority of cases with preeclampsia had thrombocytopenia and all cases complicated with HELLP syndrome had thrombocytopenia. Hence though thrombocytopenia may help in identifying progression of disease, but its absence does not rule out a severe disease.

Hence, an overall consideration of various laboratory tests than just one test has been made obvious. Meshram et al reported an incidence of Studies by Odegard et al. According to this report, annually 15 million babies are born before 37 weeks gestation with one of the causes being PIH.

The incidence rate is lesser than those observed by Meshram et al. Similarly, the incidence of DIC has been reported as 3. Platelet count is a simple, low cost, and rapid routine screening test. Varied conclusions have been drawn linking platelet count to severity of PIH. As a normal count does not rule out a severe disease our study shows that platelet count alone cannot be relied upon to assess the severity of PIH.

Uniformity in utilization of classification and categorization of cases with PIH is also needed for better understanding of the disease process. The search for one marker that would identify and gauge the severity of PIH still continues.

Original article Year : Volume : 01 Issue : 02 Page : Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy induced hypertension. J Med Sci Health ;1 2 Read times Last modified on Tuesday, 12 May Join as Reviewer.

Journal Subscribe. Join as Reviewer Click here. Submit your article Click here. All Rights Reserved. Designed by jmsh. Introduction Preeclampsia thrombocytopenia PIH is defined as hypertension HTN that occurs in pregnancy for the first time after 20 weeks of gestation, disappearing following delivery of the baby. HELLP syndrome can be difficult to diagnose, because all of the typical signs of preeclampsia may not be apparent, such as high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Its symptoms are sometimes mistaken for gastritis, flu, acute hepatitis, acute fatty liver disease , gall bladder disease, or other conditions.

While some of these conditions may also be present, there is no evidence they are related. As a result, patient awareness of HELLP syndrome, and how it relates to preeclampsia, is helpful to ensure the best medical care for mother and baby. The most common reasons for mothers to become critically ill or die from HELLP syndrome are liver rupture or stroke cerebral edema or cerebral hemorrhage.

These can most often be prevented when caught in time. If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms of HELLP syndrome, please see a healthcare provider immediately.

There is some difference in opinion among experts as to what lab values should be used to diagnose HELLP syndrome, so these estimates are approximate. However, it is important to note that not all HELLP syndrome patients exhibit the classic signs high blood pressure and protein in the urine that typically characterizes the diagnosis of preeclampsia. It can occur more often in patients with a family history of preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome, or a history of certain autoimmune conditions or clotting disorders, as well as in patients with no risk factors.

Please see our FAQs for a full list of risk factors for preeclampsia. The lower the class, the more dangerous the situation. AST aspartate aminotransferase is an enzyme that your liver makes, which is usually in very low quantities. High quantities can indicate damage to your liver. LDH lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme involved in energy production that is found in almost every cell and organ of your body, including your liver and kidneys.

LDH is released from the cells into your bloodstream when cells are damaged or destroyed. Higher LDH levels in blood may be a sign of tissue damage or disease. Platelets also known as thrombocytes are colorless blood cells that help blood clot and stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessel injuries. Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which you have a low blood platelet count and is one of the defining characteristics of HELLP syndrome.

Most often, the definitive treatment for women with HELLP syndrome is the delivery of their baby and the placenta.