title: Thrombocythaemia and pregnancy.
abstract: The diagnosis of essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is considered when all causes of reactive (secondary) thrombocytosis have been excluded in a patient with a persistent thrombocytosis. Among the chronic myeloproliferative disorders, ET has the highest proportion of young as well as female patients affected. As such, the optimal management of ET during pregnancy becomes an important issue. Although ET is not a contraindication to childbearing, the risks to both the fetus and mother are increased, and would-be-parents should be counselled regarding these. Obstetric complications occurring at higher than expected rates include spontaneous abortion in the first-trimester. Maternal complications, both haemorrhagic and thrombotic, are reported relatively infrequently. It is generally difficult to make specific management recommendations because of the relative rarity of the association between ET and pregnancy, which has precluded adequately powered controlled trials. In this communication, we review our own experience as well as that of other investigators on the subject matter and provide management guidelines that are based on best available information.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Internal Medicine, Section of Scientific Publications, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Mayo Medical School, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Ayalew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tefferi
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013920:Thrombocythemia, Essential / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome