benign gestational thrombocytopaenia (thrombocytopenia)

Last reviewed 01/2018

Gestational thrombocytopenia:

  • most prevalent cause of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy
  • accounts for about 75% of cases of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy
  • platelet count of no less than 70 × 10^9/l
    • low platelet count is particularly during the third trimester
  • platelet count returns to normal within 12 weeks of delivery
  • cause of gestational thrombocytopaenia is unknown - theorised that may be secondary to the relative hemodilution in pregnancy, amplified by the capture or destruction of platelets in the placenta
  • gestational thrombocytopaenia is considered a minor form of thrombocytopenia in the fetus or newborn
    • there is no associated risk of haemorrhage to the mother or infant

Reference:

  1. Parnas M et al. Moderate to severe thrombocytopenia during pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2006 Sep-Oct;128(1-2):163-8

Related pages:

thrombocytopaenia in pregnancy