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SLE-associated thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: successful outcome with combined IgG infusion and platelet transfusion

E K Li1, C Y Li, M G Cohen

  • 1Department of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.

The British Journal of Clinical Practice
|November 1, 1993
PubMed

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia presents special problems during pregnancy because of the limited therapeutic options and the risks posed by even moderate degrees of thrombocytopenia. Although corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin G (IV IgG) have been shown to be useful and relatively safe therapies, they are not always effective. We describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed severe thrombocytopenia unresponsive to prednisone and IV IgG. The combination of IV IgG and platelet transfusion immediately before delivery resulted in a rapid rise in platelet count and allowed a lower segment caesarean section to be undertaken without perioperative complication.

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