The Management of Pregnancies Complicated by Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Retrospective Analysis of 22 Patients

We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of pregnant women with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) managed in our clinic. We screened the medical records of 22 pregnant women who delivered in our clinic between 1 January, 2010 and 31 August, 2014. A diagnosis of ITP was made by ruling out other causes of thrombocytopenia. Patients who were diagnosed as having ITP and received therapy before pregnancy were also included in the study. Demographic characteristics and information on whether a patient received treatment for ITP, the maternal platelet count at birth, the administration of a platelet suspension and types of complications at birth were obtained from medical records. ITP was diagnosed during pregnancy follow-up in four of the women and diagnosed before pregnancy in the remaining 18 women who had been managed in the haematology department. The mean maternal platelet count at birth was 47,772.71±16,523.96/mm3.Seven (31.8%) of the patients received steroid therapy, and two (9.1%) patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy. A platelet suspension was given to four of the pregnant women with ITP who had a platelet count<30,000/mm3 and underwent an emergency delivery. No haemorrhagic complications occurred during postpartum follow-up. ITP is a serious haematological problem that may cause both maternal and neonatal complications. Close monitoring and treatment during pregnancy and at birth can be effective in avoiding haemorrhagic complications.