Changes in Haematological Parameters in Newborns Born to Preeclamptic Mothers - A Case Control Study in a Rural Hospital.

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy is a physiological phenomenon. However, some women develop problems during pregnancy period, which puts both the mother's and the foetus health at risk. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are the type of the maternal diseases that can cause the most detrimental effects to the mother and foetus.

AIMS

To determine the haematological parameters in neonates born to preeclamptic mothers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It was a prospective case control study carried out on neonates born to preeclamptic mothers in our institute from March 2016 to November 2016. All the haematological parameters of the neonates were recorded and analyzed using SPSS 22.0 version software. Mean, Standard deviation, minimum and maximum values were calculated for continuous variables. The difference between the two groups was compared using independent student 't' test. The p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

About 120 mothers were included in the study out of which 60 were of study group and 60 of control group. Mean hemoglobin, PCV, red cell count, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), reticulocyte count and nRBC were significantly increased p<0.001, whereas total leucocyte count, mean neutrophil count, absolute neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, platelet count were significantly decreased p<0.001 in babies born to preeclamptic mothers. No difference was found between the two groups in the Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) value p(>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The babies born to preeclamptic mothers are more prone for development of prematurity, low birth weight, Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR), sepsis, neutropenia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, increased RBC count, nRBC and reticulocyte count. Early haematological screening helps to decrease morbidity, improve growth, development and survival of the baby.