Pregnancy outcome in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

To study the outcome of pregnancy in women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

A retrospective analysis of 30 pregnancies in 26 women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was carried out at a tertiary hospital in India. The courses of the disease, maternal and perinatal outcome in these pregnancies were studied.

Mean age of pregnant women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was 27.3 years and 61.5 % was primigravidae. Out of 26 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, 16 were already diagnosed while the other 10 were diagnosed during pregnancy. The incidence of bleeding episodes in antenatal period, severe thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic complications at the time of delivery was 30, 37 and 11.1 %, respectively. Oral steroids were required in 40 % of pregnancies. Two patients received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Severe thrombocytopenia at the time of delivery was more commonly seen in women in whom ITP was diagnosed during pregnancy as compared to those in whom ITP was diagnosed prior to pregnancy (P = 0.04). Severe thrombocytopenia was seen in 18.5 % of neonates and intracranial hemorrhage was detected in 1 neonate. There were no still births or maternal mortality.

Pregnancy outcome in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is generally good.