Study on coagulation profile in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension in South Indian population

Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) complicates about 6–10% of pregnancies around the world. According to the WHO, PIH is one of the leading causes of maternal, fetal, and neonatal mortality and morbidity. PIH causes many hematological aberrations in women and any abnormalities in the coagulation of blood lead to hemorrhages.
Aims and Objectives: The objectives of this study were as follows: 1. To study the coagulation profile which includes platelet count, bleeding time (BT), clotting time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in PIH patients. 2. To compare the above parameters between the normal pregnant subjects and pregnancy-induced hypertensive patients. 3. To compare the above parameters between preeclampsia (PE) and eclampsia patients.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 pregnant women. Among them, 60 patients (Cases) who were diagnosed with PIH, and another 60 (controls) having age and anthropometrically-matched healthy pregnant women were taken as control. Their coagulation profile, which includes total platelet count (TPC), prothrombin time (PT), aPTT coagulation time (CT), and BT were studied. The parameters were compared using Student’s t-test.
Results: There was a significantly lower TPC, and increased PT, aPTT, CT, and BT in women with PIH when compared to normal pregnant women. However, there was no significant difference between women with PE and eclampsia.
Conclusion: The present study shows significant changes in coagulation profile in women with PIH.