title: Abrupt reversal of gestational autoimmune thrombocytopenia after delivery. A case report.
abstract: Autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura frequently is first noted during pregnancy. The severity of the disorder varies, but when the patient presents with active bleeding from any site, therapy is mandatory. Treatment generally consists of corticosteroids and/or splenectomy. A woman developed severe autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura during pregnancy that proved refractory to corticosteroids and splenectomy. Six days after delivery her platelet count returned to normal. The etiology of autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura remains unknown, but this experience suggests that in this patient the thrombocytopenia was related to her pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bartholomew
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kickler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Repke
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones