Neonatal Immune Thrombocytopenia.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal immune thrombocytopenia, a consequence of transplacental transfer of antiplatelet antibodies can result in serious bleeding with disastrous consequences in the otherwise healthy newborn.

METHODS: Over 2 years at a service hospital, 5 mothers with chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenia and one with maternal alloimmunisation delivered, which comprised the study sample.

RESULTS: Of these, two ladies suffered episodes of thrombocytopenia in the current pregnancy. They were provided platelet transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulins. All patients delivered vaginally. Cord blood platelet was normal in all cases. Three babies developed thrombocytopenia, two due to autoimmune and one alloimmune pathology. The nadir of thrombocytopenia occurred in 36-72 hours with recovery taking place in 10 days. The clinical manifestations were petechiae, ecchymosis, gastric bleed and oozing from vitamin K injection site. Two of the affected babies were provided intravenous immunoglobulins and one steroids. Only one of the two mothers who suffered thrombocytopenia during pregnancy and was provided intravenous immunoglobulins was associated with neonatal thrombocytopenia, an inconsistent relation. It was also observed that antenatally provided immunoglobulins raised effectively maternal rather than fetal platelet counts. However, postnatal immunoglobulins were efficacious in thrombocytopenic neonates.

CONCLUSION: Thus inspite of several therapeutic and preventive modalities being described, the optimum management strategy of immune mediated perinatal thrombocytopenia is yet in evolution.