Thrombocytopenia in pregnant women with malaria parasite

Abstract

Thrombocytopenia is a condition that occurs when the platelet count is below 150,000 platelets per microlitre of circulating blood. The assumed structure that causes thrombocytopenia during malaria infection is the involvement of platelet as co-factor in causing severe malaria, coagulation disruptions, bone marrow changes, splenomegaly, oxidative stress, and antibody-mediated platelet destruction. The aim of the study was to determine the platelet count and platelet indices of pregnant women infected with the malaria parasite. Sixty-five pregnant women identified as positive for malaria by microscopy (PfMbM), twenty-five pregnant women identified as negative for malaria by microscopy (NfMbM), and twenty-six non-pregnant women were enrolled. Platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), platelet rit (PCT), platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR), platelet large cell coefficient (P-LCC), and total white blood cell count (TWBC) were measured by automated hematology analyzer. The ccasecontrol study was conducted between June and September 2022. Among 65 pregnant women identified as PfMbM, 6 (9.2%) had mild thrombocytopenia (100-<150 x 109 /L), 4 (6.2%) had moderate thrombocytopenia (50-<100 x109 /L) and 3 (4.6%) had severe thrombocytopenia (<50 x 109 /L). P-LCC levels were 67.33 ± 19.05 x103 /µl in pregnant women identified as PfMbM and 57.76 ± 15.74 x103 /µl in cothe l group p=.0.003. Platelet counts were 295.13 ± 95.00 x 109 /L in Nfthe MbM group and 233.50 ± 106.64 x 109 /l in Pfthe MbM group p=<0.001, whereas P-LCC were 67.33 ± 19.05 x103 /µl in PfMbM and 74.89 ±23.68 x103 /µl in NfMbM group p=0.018. Also PC were 279.24 ± 82.16 x 109 /L in PfMbM with one plus and 234.71 ± 84.14 x 109 /L PfMbM group with two pluses p=0.022. The comparison between the first, second and third trimester showed significant decrease in PC 176.19 ± 77.51 x 109 /L in third trimester compared to first trimester 225.17 ± 51.51 x 109 /l p=0.049. The study showed the presence of mild, moderate and severe thrombocytopenia, significant increase in platelet large cell coefficient in pregnant women identified as positive for malaria by microscopy The study recommends regular malaria test and platelet count in pregnant women during antenatal period