Severe congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy complicated by eclampsia

Akash Paruthi1, Vishnu Sharma2

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Sawai Man Singh medical college and Hosital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India akashparuthi98@gmail.com.

BMJ Case Reports
|August 11, 2025
PubMed

A postpartum woman was diagnosed with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), triggered by pregnancy. She presented with severe thrombocytopenia, haemolysis, hypertension and neurological symptoms. Laboratory findings, including microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and a severely reduced ADAMTS13 activity, confirmed the diagnosis. Genetic testing identified a mutation in the ADAMTS13 gene. The patient was managed with plasma exchange (PLEX), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and supportive care. After two sessions of PLEX, her platelet count increased to 150 × 10⁹/L, LDH normalised, blood pressure stabilised and antihypertensive medications were discontinued. At discharge, she was asymptomatic, with a creatinine of 0.6 mg/dL. Follow-up at 3 and 6 months showed no recurrence. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of TTP in pregnancy, differentiation from other pregnancy-related disorders and the role of genetic testing in guiding long-term management and counselling.

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