Abstract
Background: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a measurement of the average size of platelets found in blood. The average platelet size is larger when the body is producing increased numbers of platelets. Hence, the MPV test results can be used to make inferences about platelet production in bone marrow or platelet destruction problems. MPV is higher when there is destruction of platelets. Since pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state and pre-eclampsia is one of the risk factors associated with low birth weight babies and fetal growth retardation, the newborns of hypertensive mothers should thus be very carefully evaluated in terms of platelet abnormalities.

Aims and Objectives: This study aims to study the MPV and platelet counts in neonates born of pre-eclamptic and normal pregnancies.

Materials and Methods: This is a case–control study performed in the department of physiology in collaboration with other departments. A total of 40 cases and 40 controls were enrolled. Venous blood from mothers was collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid vials. MPV was assessed using an automated cell counter machine placed in hospital laboratory service.

Results: In the present study, the values of MPV in neonates of case group (10.2 ± 0.94 fL) and control group (10.01 ± 1.06 fL) are approximately the same and not significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our results showed that platelet counts showed significant decrease in the case group compared to controls while the levels of MPV did not differ much among patients with pre-eclampsia and healthy pregnant women. Further studies are needed to explore the adequacy of MPV as a marker of pre-eclampsia.

Key words: Pre-eclampsia; Platelet Count; Mean Platelet Volume; Umbilical Cord Blood