Comparison of Maternal Serum Levels of Thrombopoietin among Pregnant Women with and without Preeclampsia

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia is a syndrome and considered one of the most significant causes that can lead to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by new onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Thrombopoietin is a major regulator of megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production. Thrombopoietin initiates its biologic effects by binding to the myeloproliferative leukemia protein receptor, which is a member of the hematopoietin receptor family.

Aims of the study: The present study is intended to compare the maternal serum levels of thrombopoietin between preeclamptic pregnant women and pregnant women without preeclampsia (normal pregnancy).

Methodology: This research study is conducted by utilizing a case control (comparative) study. This study is carried out in Al-Zahra' a Teaching Hospital of Obstetrics / Gynecology and Pediatric at Al-Najaf, Iraq. The period of this study started from 1st of February to 1st of December 2018. Where serum thrombopoietin was estimated in 88 pregnant women, divided into 2 groups; Group1 (study group): consist of 40 patients with preeclampsia. Group 2(control group): consist of 48 term women non preeclamptic in labor.

Results: Serum thrombopoietin level is higher in preeclamptic than normal pregnant women. The thrombopoietin level of the preeclamptic group was (M = 309.63, SD = 86.32 ±) and in the control group was (M= 215.69, SD= 63.52±); so p value ˂0.001 which is statistically significant.

Conclusion: Serum thrombopoietin was significantly elevated in preeclamptic pregnant women and platelet counts were significantly lower in preeclamptic group.

Recommendations: More researches are needed for different and large samples to document the role of serum
thrombopoietin as biomarker predicting severity of preeclampsia.