Platelet parameters. Part I. Platelet counts and mean platelet volume in normal and pregnant subjects.

Platelet counts and mean platelet volume (MPV) were studied in 564 normal subjects and 297 pregnant women using a Coulter Model S-Plus electronic counter. The reproducibility of these measurements both intra- and inter-sample was documented. The mean platelet count in the normal group was 283 x 10(9)/l while the mean MPV was 9.32 fl. An inverse correlation between platelet volume and platelet number was documented (r = -0.38; P less than 0.0001). By interval analysis, this inverse relationship was shown to be non-linear. In the pregnant subjects there appeared to be a progressive decrease in platelet count with advancing gestation; this reached a significant level when the first and third trimesters were compared with each other (P less than 0.05). The MPV was unchanged. The fact that the platelet count decreased in proportion to the red cell count suggested that a common factor, such as haemodilution, was in part responsible. There was again an inverse relationship between MPV and platelet number (r = -0.39; P less than 0.0001) shown to be non-linear by interval analysis.