Poor predictive value of platelet count, mean platelet volume and serum urate in hypertension in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: To determine the usefulness of platelet count, mean platelet volume and serum uric acid levels in the prediction of pre-eclampsia in women with mild hypertension in pregnancy, and to see if it is appropriate to base the management of such patients on these tests. Subjects: Three hundred and thirty-six women attending the antenatal day unit with a diagnosis of non-proteinuric hypertension in pregnancy (diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg on two separate recordings) from whom at least one blood sample was taken. Main outcomes measured: The development of proteinuria (1+ or greater on urine Albustix); the need for oral antihypertensive medication, the need for the 'pre-eclampsia regime' intra- or post-partum; the need for induction of labour because of hypertension. Results: No test, at any cut-off level, was found to be of any use in predicting the outcomes studied. Nor was a weekly change in any of the tests found to be of any use. Conclusion: Basing the management of patients with mild non-proteinuric hypertension on the results of platelet count, mean platelet volume or urate level is unwise as none of these tests was able to predict outcome in such patients.