Is thrombocytopenia associated with pregnancy?
Thrombocytopenia has been observed in 7% to 10% of all pregnancies. In uncomplicated pregnancies, the platelet count will often drop about 10%. For most women this drop in platelets does not result in thrombocytopenia. But if a woman is at the low end of the normal range, say 160,000 ppm, and her platelets drop 10% to 144,000 ppm; she would become thrombocytopenic. This person, without a history of thrombocytopenia or other medical problems, would be considered to have gestational thrombocytopenia which occurs in 5% to 8% of healthy women. The cause or causes of this drop in platelet count during pregnancy are not thoroughly understood.
