Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
Flow Cytometry Analysis of Tissue Factor Expression in Human Platelets
Published on: November 22, 2024
Fetal genotyping for platelets antigens: a precise tool for alloimmune thrombocytopenia: case report and literature
Marcelo Luís Nomura1, Egle Couto, Beatriz Moraes Martinelli
1Hematology and Hemotherapy Center, Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher (CAISM), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Cidade Universitária, CEP 13084-881 Campinas, SP, Brazil. mlnomura@unicamp.br
Introduction:
Maternal-fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia complicates about 0.1% of all pregnancies and is associated with major fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, especially spontaneous central nervous system bleeding leading to death and neurological handicaps. Successful prevention and treatment depend on the identification of at-risk possible carriers of anti-platelet antibodies.
Case Report:
We report a case of a mother with a previous child that developed neonatal hemorrhage; HPA-5b anti-platelet antibodies were detected post-natally. During the next pregnancy, fetal genotyping confirmed the presence of HPA-5b antigen; she was treated with weekly intravenous human immunoglobulin and oral prednisone. Pregnancy evolved without remarkable features and a full-term baby was delivered, with normal platelet counts.
Conclusion:
Fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia is a potentially lethal condition, but early detection and prevention lead to successful outcome in most cases.