Platelet-derived microparticle levels in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Objective: To investigate the significance of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Methods: We measured platelet P-selectin (CD62P) as a platelet activation marker and CD42b(+) microparticles as PMPs by flow cytometry in whole blood of 20 women with recurrent spontaneous abortion and 20 age-matched healthy controls with no previous history of spontaneous abortion.

Results: PMP levels in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion were higher than in women in the control group (4.79+/-1.18% vs 3.06+/-0.92%; P<0.000). CD62P levels were not significantly higher in the study group compared with the control group (13.78+/-8.62% vs 10.78+/-7.35%; P>0.05).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that PMPs may have a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent spontaneous abortion.