Abnormal platelet function in pre-eclampsia.

Platelet behaviour was studied in groups of women suffering from mild and severe pre-eclampsia, and compared with normal pregnant and non-pregnant controls. Platelets from women with severe pre-eclampsia were less responsive than normal to a variety of aggregating agents, and this impairment was significant in response to collagen and vasopressin. Women with severe pre-eclampsia had raised plasma adenine nucleotide levels and lowered platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine levels compared with the controls. Platelets from women with mild pre-eclampsia showed only a slight difference from normal. These findings may be the result of platelets having undergone aggregation and disaggregation within the circulation, and suggest that platelets may be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.