The obfuscation of eclampsia by thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

All case reports of TTP in pregnancy were reviewed. In some cases the primary diagnosis of TTP may have been inappropriate, with severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia being the primary problem. Some cases of eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia satisfy all the criteria for the diagnosis of TTP syndrome. However, the prognosis is much better and management of these patients is very different from the nonpregnant patient with the TTP syndrome. The use of the term TTP syndrome to describe these patients may be confusing. Two cases of eclampsia are presented where the diagnosis of TTP could have been made but would have been inappropriate.