Gestational Diabetes Melitus and Cord Blood Platelet Function Studied via the PFA-100 System

Abstract

Neonatal platelet hemostasis, although it has been well described over the recent years, remains elusive in specific patient populations, including neonates from high-risk pregnancies, such as those complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed at evaluating the platelet function of neonates born to mothers with GDM using the platelet function analyzer (PFA-100). Cord blood samples were drawn from each subject and tested with two different agonists to provide two closure time (CT) values (collagen with epinephrine (COL/EPI) and collagen with adenosine diphosphate (COL/ADP)). A total of 84 and 118 neonates formed the GDM and the control group (neonates from uncomplicated pregnancies), respectively. COL/EPI CTs were prolonged in neonates from the GDM group compared to neonates from the control group, while no statistically significant difference of COL/ADP CTs was noted between the two groups, GDM and the control. Higher COL/ADP CTs were demonstrated in neonates born via cesarean section and in neonates with blood group O. A negative correlation between COL/ADP CT and gestational age, white blood cells (WBCs) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity was noted in neonates from the GDM group. In conclusion, neonates from the GDM group demonstrate a more hyporesponsive phenotype of their platelets, in comparison to the control neonates.

Platelet Glycoprotein Receptor Ia-C807T and IIIa-PlA1/PlA2 Genetic Polymorphisms Are Associated With Enhanced Platelet Function in Women With Recurrent Miscarriages

“…The PFA-100 has been extensively evaluated in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions in more than 1,000 publications, including platelet function defects such as the von Willebrand disease, surgical bleeding risk, as well as stroke and myocardial ischemia, and venous thrombosis risk [19,20]. PFA-100 has also been used to assess platelet function in normal pregnant women and in high-risk pregnancies, such as those complicated by preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus [21][22][23]. Additionally, two recent publications reported prolonged COL/EPI CT in healthy preterm neonates [24] and in those born with fetal growth restriction [25].…”