Management of the Pregnant Patient with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Most pregnant patients with isolated thrombocytopenia will have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Because the disease is caused by an IgG antiplatelet autoantibody that can cross the placenta, the infant also is at risk for thrombocytopenia. The management of the pregnant patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is difficult. The physician must treat the mother, whose platelet count is easily monitored, and the fetus, whose platelet …