Role of Vitamin E as a Preventive measure Against Platelet Aggregation In Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Abstract

Objective: To correlate the preventive role of vitamin E levels and platelet count in patients with different grades of pregnancy induced hypertension. The secondary objective was to compare these grades with normal pregnant patients. Study Design and Setting: This study was conducted in Obstetric OPD of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, from April 2002 through April 2004. Methodology: The study group included 110 patients divided in three groups as Group A: n=40 Normotensive patients, Group B: n=40 Mild hypertensive (test group I), Group C: n=30 Severe hypertensive (test group II). All women were advised not to take any multivitamin supplements. Result: Serum alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) was significantly low in severe and mild cases (0.32±0.00 mg/dl, 0.74±0.03 mg/dl respectively), when compared with normal pregnant women levels (0.78±0.040). The decreased platelet count (246820±1493.51) in mild cases and (135460±387.2) in severe cases was significant (P<0.01) as compared to the normal pregnant women (348000±574.35). The decrease platelet count values for severe cases were again significant (P<0.01) when compared with mild cases of PIH. Conclusion: In patients with risk of preeclampsia adequate antioxidant nutrients may have a role in cessation of free radicalmediated cell disturbances, and thereby protecting against endothelial cell damage, which is the key factor in preeclampsia development.