A prospective study investigating the mechanism of thrombocytopenia in preeclampsia.

Hemostatic and platelet function studies were performed prospectively on 61 preeclamptic patients and 24 healthy pregnant control patients to delineate possible causes of thrombocytopenia in preeclampsia. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 50% of the preeclamptic patients, and was accompanied by qualitative platelet defects as shown by an increased bleeding time and decreased biosynthesis of thromboxane A2. All patients had normal routine coagulation …