Introduction: Neonates born to mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) are at higher risk of developing thrombocytopenia.
Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in neonates born to mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and identify the associations if any, between maternal and neonatal characteristics.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2014 to July 2016, in a tertiary care centre in Mangalore, Karnataka. Maternal and neonatal characteristics were recorded in pre-designed proforma.
Results: There were 48.3% male and 51.7% female neonates. Thrombocytopenia was found to be equal among male and female newborns (50 % vs 50 %). Severe thrombocytopenia was recorded in one male neonate only. When birth weights were analyzed, 48.3 % were above 2500g and 31.7 % were less than 2500g. Thrombocytopenia was equal (10 %) inboth low birth weight and normal birth weight neonates.Of 60 neonates, 58.3 % were born to primi mothers. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 15 % and 5 % newborns of primi and multiparous women respectively. 17 (28.3 %) mothers were on various medications for PIH. Neonatal thrombocytopenia was similar irrespective of maternal medications. Significant association was found between onset of maternal PIH (weeks in gestation) and neonatal thrombocytopenia with p value of <0.001. All neonates born to mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension on follow ups at 6 week were found to be asymptomatic and growing appropriate for age and gender.
Conclusions: All neonates born to mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension would require close observation for thrombocytopenia during early neonatal period.