Pregnancy induced hypertension includes gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. In PIH, lower the platelet count, greater are maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Recent studies suggest that platelet parameters like platelet indices are most simple and cost effective method for prediction of PIH, way before the appearance of derangements in PT, APTT, TT values so we undertook this study with an aim to see an association between platelet indices and pregnancy induced hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was prospective analytical case control study. Study included 125 cases, who were diagnosed as PIH with B.P. >140/90 mmHg, detected after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Under all aseptic precautions samples were collected randomly in EDTA vials. Samples were analysed for platelet indices. RESULT: Maximum number of cases of Preeclampsia (88.57%) & Eclampsia (87.5%) were found in age group of 21 to 25.Controls were of same age group i.e. 21 to 25 years. It was observed that platelet count showed gradual decrease in eclampsia (1.44580± 36,210) & pre-eclampsia patients (1.97850±39,010) as compared to normotensive subjects (2.42620±40,412). MPV showed gradual increase in eclampsia (10.49±1.12) & pre-eclampsia (9.14±0.612) patients as compared to normotensive subjects (8.422±0.743). PDW value also shows gradual increase in eclampsia (18.39±2.62) & pre-eclampsia (16.29±2.34) patients as compared to normotensive subjects (12.09±2.53). CONCLUSION: Study showed that platelet indices were important, simple, effortless and cost effective investigations which can be used for early recognition of preventable eclampsia complications.

Platelet indices showed a significant variation along with the severity of the disease. Platelet indices, especially PDW and plateletcrit, can be used along with platelet count to evaluate the severity of preeclampsia and eclampsia instead of relying on platelet count alone.