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Chapter 11 - Fetal and Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia: Clinical Disease and Management

from Red Cell Alloimmunization

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2019

By
Dian Winkelhorst  and
Dick Oepkes
Edited by
Mark D. Kilby ,
Anthony Johnson  and
Dick Oepkes
Mark D. Kilby
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham
Anthony Johnson
Affiliation:
University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Dick Oepkes
Affiliation:
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
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Summary

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is one of the most important causes of thrombocytopenia in otherwise healthy, term-born infants [1]. During fetal life, the fetal platelet count rapidly increases and reaches a constant normal level, equal to adults, by the end of the first trimester. Therefore, the definition of a normal platelet count and thrombocytopenia in fetuses and neonates is equal to adults. Normal platelet counts range from 150–450 × 109/L and a (fetal or neonatal) platelet count below the 5th percentile, 150×109/L, is defined as thrombocytopenia [2]. Further classification into different degrees of thrombocytopenia can be made into mild (100–150 × 109/L), moderate (50–100 × 109/L), severe (<50 × 109/L), and very severe thrombocytopenia (<20–30 × 109/L).

Type
Chapter
Information
Fetal Therapy
Scientific Basis and Critical Appraisal of Clinical Benefits
 , pp. 99 - 109
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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