Assessment of post-partum haemorrhage risk among women with moderate thrombocytopenia

It is unknown whether moderate thrombocytopenia represents a risk factor for post-partum haemorrhage (PPH). We assessed PPH risk among women with a platelet count of between 100 and 50 x 10(9)/l and stratified the risk for O/non-O blood group. We included consecutive women undergoing vaginal delivery or caesarean section with moderate thrombocytopenia. Women with >150 x 10(9)/l platelets at delivery were selected as controls and matched for age, type of birth and ethnicity. Odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated as risk estimates. A total of 94 thrombocytopenic women and 94 controls were included in the study. The rate of PPH was significantly higher in thrombocytopenic women than in controls (37% vs. 10%, p < 0.001); there was a higher risk of PPH in the thrombocytopenic group when compared to the control group (adjusted OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.1-10.8, p < 0.01) and this association was stronger in blood group O carriers (adjusted OR 11.0, 95% CI 2.4-49.6, p < 0.01). In conclusion, our study shows that a moderate thrombocytopenia is a risk factor for PPH, especially in blood group O carriers.