How will ITP affect the fetus, the newborn?
During pregnancy the maternal autoantibodies may cross the placental barrier, recognize the fetal platelets, and lead to their destruction. Therefore ITP in pregnant women can induce moderate to severe thrombocytopenia in the fetus or in the newborn. A very small percentage of infants born to mothers with ITP will have severe thrombocytopenia. However the overall risk of long-term complications for the newborn is low. In most cases any thrombocytopenia in the newborn is treatable and without any lasting effects. Neonatal thrombocytopenia usually peaks 3 to 5 days following delivery and the platelet count recovers without lasting consequences within 6 to 8 weeks. There is no way to reliably predict if an infant will be born severely thrombocytopenic except by a previous pregnancy. Mothers who have previously given birth to a child with thrombocytopenia can expect subsequent pregnancies to result in the birth of a thrombocytopenic infant. For additional questions of interest turn to page
