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Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate the clinical presentation, etiological pattern, and maternal–fetal outcomes of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi Pakistan.
Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Civil hospital Karachi, department of obstetrics and gynecology, from May to December 2024.
Methodology:
All pregnant woman of any gestational age who received a diagnosis of thrombocytopenia (platelet count below 150, 000/uL) during the time of study was included. The demographic characteristics, gravidity, clinical presentation, degree of thrombocytopenia and its etiology, management, delivery mode, maternal and fetal outcomes were also collected with the help of a structured questionnaire and processed with SPSS version 26.
Results:
A total of 138 pregnant women were included. The mean age was 29.8 +- 4.6 years, with majority of patients being within the 26-35 years’ age. Most of them were multigravida (69.6%) and majority of the patients were asymptomatic (66.7%). Mild thrombocytopenia was noted in 55.1%, moderate in 29.0%, and severe in 15.9%. The most frequent etiology was gestational thrombocytopenia (59.4%), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (27.5%). In 17.4% patients, platelet transfusion was needed. Delivery took place vaginally in 60.9% and 39.1% of the cases through cesarean section. Maternal complications were postpartum hemorrhage (13.0%). Fetal complications included preterm birth (24.6%), low birth weight (21.7%), and stillbirth (4.3%).
Conclusion:
The causes of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy are usually of gestational origin; pathological thrombocytopenia is linked to higher maternal morbidity and poor birth outcomes. Close observation and early diagnosis are necessary in order to minimize morbidity.