Clinical and Transfusion Approach to Neonatal Thrombocytopenia Associated With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case...

Autoimmune diseases present a clinical challenge for young women of childbearing age since pregnancy can affect their progression and lead to complications for both mother and baby. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is of particular interest in this context due to its association with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, foetal death, pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, and various neonatal manifestations, including thrombocytopenia. In this context, autoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia, caused by the transplacental transfer of maternal autoantibodies, may be the first sign of an undiagnosed autoimmune disease in the mother. This report documents the clinical and transfusion management of severe neonatal thrombocytopenia in a pregnancy involving a mother with a history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Subsequent study revealed positive serology for SLE. The favourable outcome for the neonate following intensive management underscores the importance of promptly identifying this condition and adopting a multidisciplinary approach to minimise the risk of severe haemorrhagic complications.