Understanding Thrombocytopenia in the Obstetric Population: A Study from a Tertiary Care Center

Background: Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is a common condition with diverse etiologies, ranging from benign causes such as gestational thrombocytopenia (GT) to more serious conditions like preeclampsia and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The clinical implications of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy include potential maternal and fetal complications, highlighting the importance of early detection and appropriate management. Objective: To evaluate the incidence, causes, clinical outcomes, and complications of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 130 pregnant women who were diagnosed with thrombocytopenia during their antenatal care between 2020 and 2021. Data on demographics, etiology, severity of thrombocytopenia, and maternal and fetal outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results: The incidence of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy was found to be 3.85%. The most common causes were gestational thrombocytopenia (48.48%), preeclampsia (18.18%), and anemia (27.27%). Mild thrombocytopenia (<100,000/µL) was the most frequent severity (68.18%), with severe thrombocytopenia (<50,000/µL) observed in 6.06% of cases. Maternal complications included postpartum hemorrhage (10.60%) and incision site oozing (7.57%). Fetal outcomes included intrauterine growth restriction (12.12%) and birth asphyxia (7.57%). Most cases were diagnosed in the second trimester, and a significant proportion (56.06%) were in primigravida women. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is predominantly mild, with gestational thrombocytopenia being the most common cause. Although the condition generally carries a good prognosis, associated complications such as postpartum hemorrhage and adverse fetal outcomes underscore the need for careful monitoring. Early diagnosis and individualized management are essential to minimize risks for both mother and child.