Outcome of pregnancies associated with marked gestational thrombocytopenia

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the outcome of pregnancies associated with marked gestational thrombocytopenias (< 100,000/mm3) including postpartum resolution and neonatal influence. Over a period of 18 months, 20 cases of thrombocytopenia were observed; of them 19 were diagnosed as gestational thrombocytopenia with platelet values of < 100,000/mm3. Fifteen women returned to a normal platelet count within two weeks after delivery and four within four weeks. No cases of thrombocytopenia were found among the infants and no cases of coagulation disturbance were observed in the mothers at delivery or in the postpartum period. The findings of the present study indicate that in cases of gestational thrombocytopenia, apart from a careful maternal and fetal surveillance, no intervention is necessary during pregnancy or delivery if there is no obstetrical indication.