BACKGROUND, MATERIAL AND METHODS: This paper provides a short review of thrombocytopaenia in pregnancy based on a search in PubMed as well as clinical experience. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: Normal platelet count in pregnancy is 250-290 x 10(9)/l, Thrombocytopaenia in pregnancy may be defined as platelet counts below 150 x 10(9)/l. Benign gestational thrombocytopaenia (platelet count 70-150 x 10(9)/l without clinical findings or any maternal or fetal risk) develops in 5%-12% of all pregnancies in the third trimester. Immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP) occurs in about one or two out of 1000 pregnancies and may be complicated by fetal alloimmune thrombocytopaenia. Thrombocytopaenia is present in nearly half of the cases with preeclampsia. The HELLP syndrome (Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet count) is classified according to platelet counts. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and fatty liver may imply low platelet counts. Infections, folate deficiency, leukaemia, congenital conditions, drugs or concurrent autoimmune disease may cause thrombocytopaenia. Platelet counts during pregnancy should be based on clinical indications.
BACKGROUND, MATERIAL AND METHODS: This paper provides a short review of thrombocytopaenia in pregnancy based on a search in PubMed as well as clinical experience. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: Normal platelet count in pregnancy is 250-290 x 10(9)/l, Thrombocytopaenia in pregnancy may be defined as platelet counts below 150 x 10(9)/l. Benign gestational thrombocytopaenia (platelet count 70-150 x 10(9)/l without clinical findings or any maternal or fetal risk) develops in 5%-12% of all pregnancies in the third trimester. Immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP) occurs in about one or two out of 1000 pregnancies and may be complicated by fetal alloimmune thrombocytopaenia. Thrombocytopaenia is present in nearly half of the cases with preeclampsia. The HELLP syndrome (Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet count) is classified according to platelet counts. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and fatty liver may imply low platelet counts. Infections, folate deficiency, leukaemia, congenital conditions, drugs or concurrent autoimmune disease may cause thrombocytopaenia. Platelet counts during pregnancy should be based on clinical indications.