ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 8, No. 4, April 2017 | pp. 25–32
DOI: 10.46882/2017/IJH/000088
Original Article
Title: Evaluation of automated immature platelet fraction parameters in distinguishing immune thrombocytopenia from gestational thrombocytopenia
Names of Authors: Q. S. Abubakar¹, U. T. Maina²
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Haematology, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria; ²Department of Pathology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Abstract: Differentiating immune thrombocytopenia from benign gestational thrombocytopenia in pregnant women is vital for avoiding unnecessary immunosuppressive or obstetric interventions. This prospective study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the automated immature platelet fraction (IPF) in 65 pregnant women presenting with unexplained isolated thrombocytopenia (platelets 50 to 120 × 10⁹/L) in their third trimester. Immature platelet fractions were quantified on an automated fluorescent flow cytometry hematology analyzer, and diagnoses were validated via clinical tracking, bleeding score instruments, and postpartum platelet recovery. Gestational thrombocytopenia was confirmed in 45 cases, while 20 were diagnosed with maternal immune thrombocytopenia. The mean immature platelet fraction was significantly higher in the immune thrombocytopenia cohort compared to gestational thrombocytopenia cases (16.4 ± 3.8% versus 5.2 ± 1.1%, P < 0.001), reflecting accelerated peripheral destruction and a compensatory megakaryocytic response. Receiver operating characteristic analysis established an immature platelet fraction threshold above 8.5% as optimal for identifying immune-mediated clearance, achieving a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 86.6%. Measuring the immature platelet fraction provides a rapid, non-invasive indicator that differentiates consumer thrombocytopenias from benign gestational variations.
Keywords: Immature platelet fraction, gestational thrombocytopenia, immune thrombocytopenia, megakaryopoiesis, flow cytometry
Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 15, 2017; Revised: February 22, 2017; Accepted: March 14, 2017; Published: April 19, 2017