a SciTechnol journal Research Article Mohammed et al., J Physiobiochem Metab 2013, 2:1 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2324-8793.1000106 International Publisher of Science, Technology and Medicine All articles published in Journal of Physiobiochemical Metabolism are the property of SciTechnol, and is protected by copyright laws. Copyright © 2013, SciTechnol, All Rights Reserved. Journal of Physiobiochemical Metabolism Variations of Platelets Indices in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension Fahmi Elsir Mohammed 1 , Hiba Badreldin Khalil 2 , Mubarak Ibrahim Idriss 3 , Tag Eldien Mohamadein Abdalla 4 and NourEldaim Elnoman Elbadawi 4 * Abstract Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), are high blood pressure disorders of pregnancy. Previous studies revealed that hemoglobin concentration decreased and white cell count increased during pregnancy. There is less records regarding change in platelets count with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).The aim of this study is to find out the relationship between platelet indices and platelet count among pregnant women with PIH. The study showed that platelet count was decreased compared to normal control while the mean platelet volume & platelet distribution width were increased. We concluded that, there is a relationship between platelet indices and PIH. The estimation of platelet indices must be considered as an early, simple and rapid routine test as a strategy for assessment of PIH during pregnancy. Abbreviations PIH: Pregnancy-induced Hypertension; HELLP syndrome: Haemolysis Elevated Liver Enzymes Low Platelet; PL: Platelets count; MPV: Mean Platelets Volume; PDW : Platelet Distribution Width; EDTA: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; G x : Group; BP: Blood Pressure; Yrs: years Introduction Pregnancy-induced Hypertension (PIH) is a syndrome of hypertension with proteinuria (Pre-eclampsia) or without proteinuria and edema, with the clinical manifestation usually occurring late in pregnancy and regressing aſter delivery of the conceptus. It is a major pregnancy complication, causing premature delivery, fetal growth retardation, abruption placenta, and fetal death, as well as maternal morbidity and mortality [1]. When blood pressure rises in pregnancy with significant protein in urine is called Preeclampsia [2], while Eclampsia (is word means a fever of rapid onset) [3] is a dangerous complication of pregnancy with a sudden onset and has the features of developing tonic-clonic fits in a patient who have developed preeclampsia. Preeclampsia and eclampsia are collectively called hypertensive disorders or toxemia of pregnancy [4]. ere are various theories to clarify eclampsia and pre-eclampsia and it is proposed that hypo perfusion of placenta is the main factor responsible for the disease process. Maternal blood vessels become more sensitive to pressure agents causing constriction of blood vessels and hypo perfusion in various organs. Furthermore the condition is aggravated by the activation of coagulation chain causing micro thrombi formation. Edema developed by release of plasma into extra vascular tissues that further worsen the condition. ese changes cause signs and symptoms of eclampsia as well as hypertension, renal, hepatic, and pulmonary dysfunction specifically cerebral dysfunction [5]. On the other hand endothelial activation and altered platelet counts are the markers of the disease progression before the development of sign and symptoms [5]. Moreover most of the cases are suggested that shallow implantation of placenta becomes hypoxic and causes immune reaction [6]. In pregnancy induced hypertension, the most frequent hematological abnormality found is thrombocytopenia. e degree of thrombocytopenia increases with severity of disease [7]. In the pregnant women, thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count of less than 150×10 9 L. Counts of 100–150×10 9 L are defined as mild thrombocytopenia and counts of 50–100×10 9 L as moderate thrombocytopenia, while counts of less than 50×10 9 L known as severe thrombocytopenia. rombocytopenia is caused either by increased platelet destruction or decreased platelet production. In pregnancy, increased platelet destruction may be mediated by immunological mechanisms, abnormal platelet activation, or platelet consumption [8]. Increased destruction or utilization of platelets during pregnancy occurs in microangiopathies (exposure to abnormal blood vessels) such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, haemolytic uraemic syndrome, haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet (HELLP) syndrome, and pre-eclampsia. Materials and Methods A prospective analytical case - control study conducted in Sudan, Khartoum state at Omdurman Maternity Hospital (OMH), from Jan to June, 2012. Sixty pregnant women proved to have PIH were recruited and classified into 3 groups based on the severity of the disease as: Group one (Mild PIH): with systolic blood pressure (140- 160 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (90 - 110 mmHg) and without protein in urine. Group 2 (preeclampsia): with systolic blood pressure less than 170 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure less than 130 mmHg and association with protein in urine (>300 mg). Group 3 (eclampsia group): Blood pressure greater than 160/110 mmHg, with protein in urine (>5 gm). Furthermore, 20 healthy women selected as control enrolled in the study aſter obtaining informed consent from them. Exclusion criteria’s Diabetic patients, patients on plavix therapy, anaemia or haemoglobinopathy, renal failure and chronic inflammatory disease were excluded from the study. An EDTA venous blood was analyzed within 2-6 hours to *Corresponding author: NourEldaim Elnoman Elbadawi, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Kassala, Kassala, Sudan, E-mail: noureldaim@hotmail.com Received: April 03, 2013 Accepted: July 15, 2013 Published: July 24, 2013