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Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy

^1. Department of Haematology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, QMC Campus, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK Email: Bethan.Myers{at}nuh.nhs.uk (corresponding author)

Key content:

• Thrombocytopenia occurs in 8–10% of all pregnancies.
  
• In pregnancy it is usually mild and benign.
  
• Rare causes can be associated with severe complications for mother and baby.
  
• Cases thought to be due to immune thrombocytopenic purpura or microangiopathic processes should be managed in a specialist centre.
  

Learning objectives:

• To learn about the underlying causes.
  
• To be aware of the management of the more severe cases.
  
• To ensure appropriate referral of high-risk cases.
  

Ethical issues:

• Clear prepregnancy counselling is important to enable women to make informed decisions regarding future pregnancies.
  
• Women need to understand the percentage risk of recurrence of certain conditions and the risks to fetal wellbeing.
  

Please cite this article as: Myers B. Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:177–183.

Keywords HELLP syndrome / immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura / pre-eclampsia / thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura