•      Introduction: Thrombocytopenia defined as platelet count of less than 1,50,000/cu.mm. is a common haematological disorder. It is second only to anaemia as the most common haematological abnormality in pregnancy. The majority of thrombocytopenic pregnant women is healthy, has no history of thrombocytopenia, and is incidentally diagnosed by blood testing. This condition, called incidental or gestational thrombocytopenia (GT), usually has no influence on pregnancy, labour & delivery or on the new born. Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is divided according to aetiology into gestational, medical (ITP, hypersplenism, hepatic disorders etc.) and obstetric (hypertensive disorders, DIC) thrombocytopenia.

•      AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the aetiology, adverse effects and interventions required in relation to thrombocytopenia in pregnancy.

•      Materials and Methods: Records of obstetric patients were studied from Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology B.J. Medical College Ahmedabad, from April 2017 to March 2018. Patients were included irrespective of gestational age. All women had previous records of platelet count estimation.

•      CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia is a common problem during pregnancy, often under diagnosed and mismanaged. Gestational Thrombocytopenia  was the most common cause around 64% of all thrombocytopenia in this study with a platelet count ranging from 65,000 to 1,35,000/cu.mm. It followed a benign course without any adverse effect and need for intervention during pregnancy. The platelet count falls progressively during pregnancy and rarely drops below 70,000/Cu.mm. Women are asymptomatic and have a completely negative history of abnormal bleeding. Thrombocytopenia due to HELLP syndrome and severe preeclampsia were the 2nd common cause around 22% of all thrombocytopenia in our study. ACOG recommended that the definitive treatment of maternal thrombocytopenia in the setting of PIH with HELLP syndrome is termination of pregnancy. Platelet transfusions are less effective in these women because of accelerated platelet destruction. ITP(immune thrombocytopenic purpura) affects only 1–2 of every 10,000 pregnancies. The diagnosis of ITP is based on exclusion and only be made if other causes have been excluded. Women with ITP and platelet counts over 50,000/cu.mm must be managed conservatively during labour and delivery and a caesarean section is performed only for obstetrical indications.

•      The baseline low platelet counts and declining trend with increasing gestational age predispose Indian women to increased risk of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Thus, platelet count estimation should be a routine at first antenatal visit for timely diagnosis and to achieve favourable feto–maternal outcome in all types of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy.