Platelet lifespan in normal pregnancy as determined by a nonradioisotopic technique.

A nonradioisotopic technique for determination of platelet lifespan was applied to 19 healthy women whose gestational ages were between 32 and 40 weeks. Nine non-pregnant women and five men were also studied. Platelet counts were performed in all subjects. No significant difference was demonstrated between platelet lifespan in pregnant women (9.2 days), in non-pregnant women (9.7 days) and in men (9.2 days). There was no significant different between platelet counts in men and in non-pregnant women, but the mean number of platelets in pregnant women was significantly lower. It is concluded that no significant changes in platelet behaviour appear to occur in normal pregnancy.