[Relation of red cell distribution width and mean platelet volume with the severity of preeclampsia].

Background: It has been established a strong association between the red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) with hypertension in non-pregnant patients. However, few studies have been performed in patients with preeclampsia, yielding inconsistent results. Our aim is to evaluate the relationship between RDW and MPV with the severity of preeclampsia.

Methods: Analytic cross-sectional study. We include 64 patients with preeclampsia (26 mild, 38 severe) and 70 patients with normotensive pregnancy. Clinical data, sociodemographic characteristics and laboratory measures, including RDW and MPV, were recorded for each patient.

Results: Hemoglobin and platelet count measures were similar between groups. Preeclamptic patients had levels of RDW (14.7 ± 1.4 vs. 13.4 ± 0.7, p = 0.0001) and MPV (11.8 ± 2.4 vs. 11.0 ± 1.4, p = 0.03) more elevated than control group. Moreover, severe preeclamptic subgroup had more elevated levels of RDW (15.0 ± 1.6 vs. 14.0 ± 0.6, p = 0.001) and MPV (12.7 ± 2.8 vs. 10.8 ± 1.8, p = 0.01) in comparison with mild preeclamptic patients.

Conclusions: We demonstrate that RDW and MPV are accessible and inexpensive measures associated with the severity of preeclampsia.