Watch Out for Low Platelet Counts During Pregnancy

Gestational thrombocytopenia (defined by a platelet count <150,000 per µL at delivery) occurs in up to 10% of women with uncomplicated pregnancies. To clarify pregnancy-related changes in platelet count, investigators at one academic hospital in Oklahoma studied 7351 pregnant women and 8885 nonpregnant women.

Mean platelet counts fell significantly from 251,000 to 217,000 per µL between the first trimester and delivery, then rose to 264,000 postpartum (compared with 273,000 per µL in nonpregnant women). Women with twin pregnancies had somewhat lower counts (falling from 240,000 to 202,000 per µL). Platelet counts <150,000 per µL at delivery occurred in 9.9% of uncomplicated pregnancies and 11.9% of complicated pregnancies. Counts <100,000 pe…