A study recently published in the European Journal of Medical Research found that the use of complete blood counts may support the diagnosis and staging of placental abruption, a risk factor for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).
Placental abruption occurs when the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus during pregnancy. Individuals with a history of placental abruption may be at a higher risk of developing HDFN in subsequent pregnancies.
Currently, no specific laboratory tests exist to diagnose placental abruption. Additionally, some patients may be asymptomatic, further complicating diagnosis.
“Our study is the first to assess placental abruption by staging in demographic and hematological markers,” the authors wrote.
Read more about HDFN causes and risk factors
The study included 150 individuals diagnosed with placental abruption between September 2018 and September 2022. Individuals were classified into one of three stages based on the severity of their condition; no patients in the sample were asymptomatic.
The most common symptoms among participants were vaginal bleeding (62.7%) and pain (25.3%), with no significant differences between stages. Also, risk factors including smoking, drinking and high blood pressure did not differ between stages.
Next, the authors calculated the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the maternal blood. They found that the average PLR was highest in Stage II, while the average NLR was highest in Stage III. Furthermore, both the average NLR and PLR were significantly higher in both Stage II and III than in Stage I.
Based on their findings, the authors advocate for the use of sonograms and artificial intelligence in combination with blood testing to determine the best course of action for monitoring and treating patients experiencing placental abruption.
“We believe that frequently performed, inexpensive, and straightforward hemogram parameters, if they are supported by artificial intelligence, will boost clinical support,” they concluded.
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives, and information about HDFN sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.
