Immune amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia of the newborn: association with anti-HLA-A2.
Three newborn babies with congenital immune amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia are described. Two were siblings. The mothers' sera showed antibody against both pooled random platelets and lymphocytes of type HLA-A2. Two babies had transient thrombocytopenia and leucopenia and made a full haematological recovery. One baby died aged four hours having had no haematological investigations during life. Histological examination of the bone marrow in all three babies (two by trephine biopsy; one at necropsy) confirmed a deficiency of megakaryocytes. It is suggested that anti-HLA-A2 may cause neonatal thrombocytopenia by depressing megakaryocytes instead of, or in addition to, any direct effect on platelets.
D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000276:immunology; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen