A 35-year-old woman is evaluated for new-onset thrombocytopenia. She is gravida 1 at 36 weeks’ gestation. Her pregnancy has been otherwise uncomplicated. She takes only a prenatal vitamin.
On physical examination, temperature is normal, blood pressure is 110/65 mm Hg, pulse rate is 110/min, and respiration rate is 22/min. There are no ecchymoses or petechiae. Abdominal examination discloses no right upper quadrant pain. She has a gravid uterus. Neurologic examination is normal, and there is no peripheral edema.
Laboratory studies:
| Hematocrit | 33% |
| Hemoglobin | 11.0 g/dL (110 g/L) |
| Leukocyte count | 9500/µL (9.5 × 109/L) |
| Mean corpuscular volume | 85 fL |
| Platelet count | 95,000/µL (95 × 109/L) |
| Fibrinogen | 350 mg/dL (3.5 g/dL) |
| Alanine aminotransferase | Normal |
| Aspartate aminotransferase | Normal |
| Urinalysis | Normal |
No schistocytes or platelet clumping is seen on the peripheral blood smear.
Which of the following is the most appropriate management?
A: Corticosteroids
B: Emergent delivery of fetus
C: Intravenous immune globulin
D: Plasma exchange
E: Repeat complete blood count in 1 to 2 weeks
MKSAP Answer and Critique
The correct answer is E: Repeat complete blood count in 1 to 2 weeks.
Repeating the complete blood count in 1 to 2 weeks is appropriate. This patient has new-onset asymptomatic thrombocytopenia developing in the last trimester of pregnancy that is characterized by a platelet count higher than 50,000/µL (50 × 109/L), which suggests gestational thrombocytopenia. Gestational thrombocytopenia is the most common cause of pregnancy-associated thrombocytopenia. The cause of gestational thrombocytopenia is unknown, although it is not believed to have an immune basis. Gestational thrombocytopenia occurs in approximately 5% of pregnancies. Conversely, thrombocytopenia developing in the first two trimesters of pregnancy that is characterized by platelet counts lower than 50,000/µL (50 × 109/L) suggests immune (also termed “idiopathic”) thrombocytopenic purpura.
Several studies have confirmed that maternal and fetal outcomes are excellent in patients with platelet counts higher than 50,000/µL (50 × 109/L), and no resulting maternal or fetal complications, such as fetal thrombocytopenia, should occur. Consequently, no therapeutic interventions, including intravenous immune globulin, plasma exchange, or corticosteroids, are required in this patient, and the fetus does not need to be emergently delivered.
Key Point
- Gestational (mild) thrombocytopenia is the most common cause of pregnancy-associated thrombocytopenia and has a benign course.
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