Objective To investigate the effect of low platelet (PLT) count on the early fatality rate of liver transplant recipients without intraoperative PLT transfusion. Methods Clinical data of 180 recipients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. The critical value of PLT count on postoperative 7 d to predict the early postoperative fatality rate was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve. All recipients were divided into the low PLT count group and control group according to the critical value. Relevant clinical data including perioperative PLT count, preoperative general conditions and intraoperative conditions of the recipients were included. The independent risk factors of the early fatality rate of liver transplant recipients were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis. The early prognosis of the recipients between two groups was observed and compared by the postoperative length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, postoperative length of hospital stay, early allograft dysfunction and fatality rate on postoperative 30 d. Results The PLT count < 32×10⁹/L on 7 d after liver transplantation was an independent risk factor of the fatality rate on postoperative 30 d (P < 0.05). The postoperative length of ICU stay of the recipients in the low PLT count group was 9 (5, 14) d, significantly longer than 5 (3, 6) d in the control group (P < 0.05). In the low PLT count group, the early allograft dysfunction rate was 55.0%, significantly higher than 20.6% in the control group (P < 0.05). In the low PLT count group, the fatality rate on postoperative 30 d was 40.0%, significantly higher than 2.5% in the control group (P < 0.05). The length of hospital stay did not significantly differ between two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions The PLT count < 32×10⁹/L on postoperative 7 d is an independent risk factor for the fatality rate on postoperative 30 d of liver transplant recipients. It can prompt the early allograft dysfunction and contribute to predict the early clinical prognosis of liver transplant recipients.