Impaired Platelet Function in Neonates Born to Mothers with Diabetes or Hypertension During Pregnancy

Objective: In a recent pilot study, platelet function of 4 neonates born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIN) was found to display lower platelet adhesion compared to healthy neonates. The present study aimed at confirming and validating these findings. Study Design: Platelet adhesion was measured using a Cone Platelet Analyzer (CPA). The platelet function in the cord blood of 35 term infants born to mothers with PIH or gestational diabetes (GD) was compared with the platelet function of 196 infants born to healthy mothers. All neonates were monitored for perinatal complications until hospital discharge. Results: Neonates born to mothers with PIN and with GD displayed poorer platelet function, with decreased platelet surface coverage as tested by CPA (control group 8.53 +/- 3.81%; PIH: 5.9 +/- 3.91%, p=0.003; GD: 6.64 +/- 3.64%, p=0.005). No association was found between CPA values and post-natal complications. Conclusions: Maternal PIH or GD is associated with impaired platelet function in neonates. The clinical impact of these findings is yet to be studied.