Direct fetal administration of immunoglobulins: another disappointing therapy in alloimmune thrombocytopenia

Current management strategies to prevent fetal intracranial haemorrhage in perinatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (PAIT) include serial platelet transfusion and/or maternal high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration. The former involves multiple invasive procedures, while the latter is both expensive and of questionable efficacy. We report the use of direct fetal IVIG in 2 fetuses with PAIT, undergoing serial intrauterine platelet transfusions. Fetal IVIG had no effect on fetal platelet count. We conclude that direct fetal IVIG administration does not appear to have a role in the management of PAIT, and that current management strategies remain far from ideal.