Context: Platelet indices (platelet count, Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit) are widely used in understanding pathophysiology of vascular diseases. Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is vascular disorder complicating most of the pregnancy. Aims: The aim of the study is to evaluate platelet indices in PIH and compare with maternal and fetal outcomes. Settings and Design: Prospective study. Methods and Material: Study included 40 pregnant women with gestational hypertension(GH), 40 women with Preeclampsia (PE) and 80 normotensive pregnant women (NP). Statistical Analysis Used: The data were processed on MS excel work sheet and analysis will be carried out using MedCalc Statistical Software version 12.7.8 (MedCalc Software bvba, Ostend, Belgium; http://www.medcalc.org; 2014). The intergroup analysis was carried out by ANOVA and post hoc analysis. Results: Mean MPV and PDW were significantly increased whereas platelet count and plateletcrit were significantly decreased in GH and PE groups. Severe thrombocytopenia was observed in mild PE (11%), severe PE in (27%), HELLP syndrome (75%), Eclampsia (50%). IUGR was observed in 5.8% of PE, PPH in 8.8% of PE and 50% of Eclampsia, low birth weight was observed in 25% of PE and 50% of eclampsia, 6% IUD was observed in PE. Conclusions: Platelet indices i.e. platelet count, MPV, PDW and plateletcrit are a simple, low cost, and rapid routine screening tests. We observed a significant relation between platelet indices and severity of PIH. It also showed that these could be used as markers for diagnosis, as well as for the severity of PIH.

Keywords: Platelet indices; MPV; PDW; Plateletcrit; Preeclampsia; Eclampsia.