Abstract:

PLATELETS are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Our objective was to determine the platelet aggregation in preeclamptic patients by aggregometry in the third trimester. Methods: Normotensive (Group 1, n=10) and preeclamptic patients (Group 2, n=10) were included in the study. All patients were evaluated in outpatient clinic and both clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded prospectively. Platelet aggregation was induced by the RESULTS: In our study, average age was 27.6±4.3 and 26.7±2.2 years in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies respectively. The rates of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and early delivery were significantly higher in the preeclamptics with respect to the controls (p<0.05). Platelet aggregation was statistically significant in preeclamptic patients compared to the normotensive controls (43% vs 67, respectively) (p<0.05). There was no difference with regard to the platelet aggregation between severe and mild preeclamptics. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated a reduction in platelet aggregation in preeclamptic patients in the third trimester. We thought that the observed reduction in platelet aggregation in preeclamptic petients might be related to the endothelial cell dysfunction seen in preeclampsia.

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