Immature Platelet Fraction as a Promising Biomarker in Prediction Outcome of HELLP Syndrome

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) syndromes are extraordinarily diverse. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) are the two most well known, and are considered to be the most serious. TTP-HUS occurs more commonly in women and among women is commonly associated with pregnancy.

Nevertheless, there are other pregnancy conditions that may manifest with TMA, including preeclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count), in addition to acute fatty liver of pregnancy, antiphospholipid syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosis.

Assessment of immature platelets was introduced as a non-invasive test of real time thrombopoiesis. They are newly released in the circulation with a larger size & greater RNA content than mature platelets, and can be measured by automated haematology analyzer equipped with reticulocyte detection channel and described as immature platelet fraction (%-IPF) and immature platelet count (A-IPC).

A high %-IPF has been suggested as an indicator of thrombocytopenia due to rapid platelet consumption, while a low %-IPF is characteristic of bone marrow suppression states. %-IPF/A-IPF has the competency to be performed routinely and, therefore, can provide therapeutic and diagnostic feedback in the life threatening conditions.

The present study aimed to show the utility of estimating %-IPF and A-IPC using a reticulocyte detection channel CBC autoanalyzer as a simple reproducible blood analysis to be employed in the differential diagnosis of pregnancy-associated thrombotic microangiopathic conditions.

Inclusion criteria

• Older than 20 years of age
• Pregnant with singleton intrauterine pregnancy
• More than 20 weeks of gestation

Exclusion criteria

• Congenital malformation and fetuses with chromosomal or genetic syndrome.
• Recent blood transfusion.
• Refusal to participate in the study.
• BMI <18.
• Placental abnormalities like velamentous insertion.
• Multiple pregnancies.
• Known kidney disease.
• History of auto immune disease.