Role of Platelet Indices in Pregnant Women with Epilepsy

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the inflammatory platelet (Plt) indices; Plt/lymphocyte, Plt/monocyte ratio (PMR), and Plt/neutrophil ratio (PNR) in maternal epilepsy patients. Methods: Patients diagnosed with maternal epilepsy in a tertiary center between 2019 and 2022 were included in this retrospective case-control study. Consecutive uncomplicated healthy pregnant women constituted the control group. Complete blood count (CBC) parameter results and Plt indices during the first trimester of pregnancy were recorded. Neonatal outcomes, seizure history of epilepsy patients during pregnancy, and antiepileptic drugs used were also recorded. Results: One hundred thirteen pregnant epilepsy patients were included in this study. As a control group, 339 healthy pregnant women were included. While the Plt was 271x10(9)/L in the epilepsy group, it was 249x10(9)/L in the control group (p=0.029). PMR and PNR were significantly higher in the epilepsy group. Fifty of the epilepsy patients had seizures during pregnancy (44.2%). When compared, no significant difference was found between epilepsy patients with a seizure history or not, as to demographic features and CBC parameters during the 1st trimester of pregnancy (all p>0.05). Conclusion: Pregnant women with epilepsy have low-grade inflammation during the first trimester. Inflammatory Plt indices may be used in combination with other parameters for the management of pregnancy. Further studies are required.