Objective: To investigate the diagnosis, prenatal treatment and prognosis of pregnancy with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
Methods: The clinical data of 92 cases of pregnancy with ITP in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital during Oct. 1994 to Oct. 2003 were analysed, including the changes of platelet counts, bleeding improvement, and the outcome of mothers and infants after treatment by using glucocorticoids, gamma globulin and transfusion of platelets.
Results: The incidence of pregnancy with ITP was 2.4 per thousand. Thirty-four cases (40%) were accompanied with other complications, such as hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy (7), postpartum hemorrhage (6), premature labor (9), impaired glucose tolerance (19) and fetal macrosomia (10). Among the 92 cases, vaginal delivery and cesarean section were performed in 20 (22%) and 72 (78%) cases, respectively. Twenty-six, 18 and 24 cases were treated by glucocorticoids, glucocorticoids plus gamma globulin, and glucocorticoids plus gamma globulin plus transfusion of platelets, respectively. Significant effects were achieved in 42 cases (62%), general effects in 16 cases (24%), and improvement in 8 cases (12%), respectively. The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage was 8% (6/72 cases). There was no maternal death. The infantile death ratio was 2/94 during perinatal period. The platelet count of peripheral blood in all the newborns was higher than 100 x 10(9)/L. There were no intracranial hemorrhage and other diseases related to platelet decrease.
Conclusion: Glucocorticoids, gamma globulin and transfusion of platelets are effective methods for the treatment of ITP in mid-late pregnancy. They can increase the platelet counts and decrease the postpartum hemorrhage of the patients, and have no side effects to mother or infant.