Platelet and White Blood Cell (WBC) Counts in the First Trimester and Pregnancy Outcome: Prospective Controlled Study

Abstract

In pregnancy, there is usually a degree of thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis. Our aim was to find out if raised platelet and white blood cell counts (WBC) in the first trimester above 300 ⅹ 10⁹/L and 10 ⅹ 10³/mm³, respectively are related to the pregnancy outcome. This is a prospective controlled trial at Jordan University hospital in the period between June 2017 to September 2018. Pregnant women were enrolled in the study any time less than 14 weeks with platelet count of 300 ⅹ 10⁹/L or more and white blood cell count of 10.0 ⅹ 10³/mm³ or more (study group, 100 pregnant women). The control group (84 pregnant women) were recruited at the same time. There was a statistically significant increased risk of miscarriage in the study group, P value 0.018, and a statistically significant increased risk of preterm delivery, P value 0.001. There was also a higher risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes in the study group than the control, 11.2 versus 3.8%, odds ratio 3.169, but this difference wasn’t statistically significant. Pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes had statistically significant higher risk of preterm deliveries, lower birth weight, higher risk of neonatal intensive care unit admission than those without membrane rupture. Elevated platelet and WBC counts in the first trimester are associated with increased risk of miscarriage, increased risk of preterm delivery and relatively increased risk of PPROM. This can serve as an early warning for adverse pregnancy outcome.

Keywords

Platelet - White blood cell - Pregnancy - Outcome - Missed miscarriage - Preterm

Publication History

Received: 28 February 2019

Accepted: 24 May 2019

Article published online:
08 May 2023