The prevalence of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Throughout pregnancy, haematopoietic changes, including notable variations in blood volume, occur to meet the demands of the developing fetus and placenta. Thrombocytopenia is a typical hematological disorder during pregnancy, next to anemia. Extreme thrombocytopenia during pregnancy may increase the risk of heavy bleeding during or after delivery. Findings on the prevalence of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women varied in Ethiopia. Therefore, this review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods: The databases (PubMed, Scopus, Hinari, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar) were searched for relevant studies using MeSH Terms and keywords related to thrombocytopenia. The systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out following PRISMA guidelines. Data analysis was conducted using R statistical software version 3.6.1. A random-effect model was fitted to estimate the pooled prevalence of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women. The heterogeneity of included studies was examined using I2 test statistics. Egger weighted regression analysis and funnel plots were employed to detect publication bias. Results: Six of the 29 studies retrieved were eligible for this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women in Ethiopia was 10.7% (95% CI: 8.6, 13.0%). Its severity was found to be 8.3% (I2 = 24%) mild, 1.7% (I2 = 0%) moderate, and 0.6% (I2 = 29%) severe. The highest prevalence of thrombocytopenia was observed in the SNNPR at 14.1% (95% CI: 11.5, 17.0%), whereas the lowest prevalence was in Addis Ababa at 7.7% (95% CI: 8.6, 6.34%). Conclusion: The pooled prevalence of thrombocytopenia among Ethiopian pregnant women in this research was remarkable, indicating the necessity to screen pregnant women for possible thrombocytopenia and provide them with the necessary treatments.