Comparison of the differential distribution of leukocytes in preeclampsia versus uncomplicated pregnancy

Objective: To describe leukocyte count and differential distribution in preeclampsia and uncomplicated pregnancy. Study design: Blood samples were obtained from 46 consecutive preeclamptic patients and 46 controls with uncomplicated pregnancy. Thirty met the criteria for mild preeclampsia and 16 for severe. The blood was tested within 1 h of venepuncture. An aliquot of the blood was tested in the Cell-Dyn 2000 for complete blood cell count. Main Results: The absolute neutrophil count was significantly elevated in preeclamptic patients as compared with that of controls with uncomplicated pregnancy (9,410.1 ± 3,066.9 vs. 7,498.6 ± 2,354.0 x 10⁶/l, p < 0.05). In neutrophils, the elevation was more prominent in severe preeclamptic patients as compared with mild preeclamptic patients (10,658.8 ± 3520.4 vs. 8,694.4 ± 2,561.9 x 10⁶/l, p < 0.05). The absolute lymphocyte and eosinophil counts declined in patients with preeclampsia as compared with uncomplicated pregnancy, whereas monocyte and basophil counts did not differ. Conclusion: Our results suggest that preeclampsia is associated with an increase in the absolute neutrophil count.