Could Mean Platelet Volume and Red Cell Distribution Width be related with the progression and severity of gestational hypertensive disorders?

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between thrombocyte indices, red cell distribution width and the progression of gestational hypertensive disorders Design: Retrospective and cross-sectional study Setting: Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital and Bolu State Hospital, Bolu, Turkey Subjects: Five hundred and one pregnant women were included in this study, which included 115 severe-preeclampsia (PE), 155 mild-PE, 105 gestational hypertension (GHT) and 126 healthy pregnant women (control group). Intervention: 2 ml blood samples were taken by using 19-G needles. Hematological parameters values were studied using a blood count analyzer. Main outcome measure(s): Comparison of hematological parameters before and after diagnosis of GHT, mild-PE and severe-PE. Results: Mean platelet volume (MPV) was found significantly higher in the severe-PE group than GHT, mild-PE and control groups (P=0.005). MPV was higher in the severe-PE group concerning mild-PE and GHT groups (P=0.043, P=0.014 respectively), and it was unchanged between mild-PE, GHT and control groups. Platelet distribution width, red cell distribution width (RDW), plateletcrit, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio were found unchanged among four groups. Platelet count (PC) was significantly lower in the severe-PE group than mild-PE, GHT and control groups (P=0.021). PC was not found to be significantly different among GHT, mild-PE and control groups. Hematological parameters before and after diagnosis of GHT, mild-PE and severe-PE were compared and RDW was significantly higher after progression of the disease (P=0.009, P=0.006, P=0.0002 respectively). Conclusions: Elevation in RDW levels is associated with a progression of GHT, mild PE and severe PE. MPV levels are found higher and PC levels are found lower in severe-PE. However, there was no significant change observed according to the severity of gestational hypertensive disorders.