Predictors for neonatal thrombocytopenia in infants of thrombocytopenic mothers during pregnancy

Abstract

Although maternal thrombocytopenia during pregnancy is common, its effect on neonatal platelets has not yet been fully evaluated. We retrospectively evaluated the rate of thrombocytopenia among 767 healthy term neonates (gestational age 37-42 weeks) born to 723 mothers with pregnancy-induced thrombocytopenia to define risk factors predicting thrombocytopenia in this group. Thrombocytopenia was diagnosed in 2.2% of the infants. Multivariate analysis showed that infants with thrombocytopenia were more likely to be male, to be born at lower gestational age and to have lower birth weight associated with lower maternal platelets counts. Maternal platelet counts of 100-149 x 10(9)/L, 50-99 x 10(9)/L, and <50 x 10(9)/L corresponded respectively to 1.7%, 4.3%, and 12.5% of neonatal thrombocytopenia (P = 0.031). Routine blood counts are recommended, in particular for male infants with low birth weight born to mothers with moderate-to-severe thrombocytopenia.