Platelet specific proteins (beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4) in normal pregnancy and in pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia.

Pregnancy is accompanied by significant alterations of platelet function. Platelet activity can be determined by measurement of plasma levels of secreted platelet proteins. In this study we determined plasma levels of beta-Thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) simultaneously in 35 women with uncomplicated pregnancy and in 15 patients with preeclampsia in third trimester of gestation. Additionally, PF4 plasma levels were measured using a commercially available Radio Immunoassay (RIA) and an Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) simultaneously and values obtained were compared. Platelet count and creatinine were in the normal range in both groups; however, significantly higher levels of beta-TG (P less than 0.0005) and PF4 (P less than 0.0001) were found in case of preeclampsia. High levels of platelet proteins emphasize the active role of the platelets in the alterations of hemostasis in cases of preeclampsia.