Preoperative predictors of thrombocytopenia in Caesarean delivery: is routine platelet count testing necessary?

Abstract

Background: Peri-partum thrombocytopenia significantly impacts anaesthetic technique and increases the risk of perioperative bleeding. However, as less than 5% of normal pregnancies have significant thrombocytopenia, routine platelet testing incurs great cost for a relatively low yield. Determining whether clinical predictors, in particular HIV status, are associated with thrombocytopenia may assist clinicians in rationalising preoperative testing.