Can platelet indices be of value in pregnant women with malaria?

Malaria infection in pregnancy is a serious disease with feto-maternal adverse outcomes. In this study we evaluated and compared the haematologic parameters of pregnant women with and without malarial infection. This case-control study included a total of 145 participants (59 pregnant women with malaria and 86 aparasitemic pregnant women). Haematological parameters were evaluated using an automated hemo-analyser. Haemoglobin, platelet, white blood cell and platelet distribution width (PDW) of pregnant women with malaria were found to be significantly lower than pregnant without malaria. However, the mean platelet volume (MPV) of pregnant women with malaria was significantly higher than those without infection.Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Malaria infection in pregnancy is a serious disease and may affect haematological parameters. What do the results of this study add? Platelet indices were significantly changed in malaria. Especially mean platelet volume (MPV) with malaria was significantly higher than those without infection. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Among the expected differences in haematologic parameters of pregnant women with malaria, the increase in MPV has been a novel finding. The increase in MPV level of pregnant with malaria should be investigated further to address the value of MPV as a prognostic factor.