title: Alloimmune thrombocytopenia in the fetus: current management theories.
abstract: Fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (AIT) affects only a small number of fetuses but the consequences may be devastating. Outcomes range from mild thrombocytopenia without signs or symptoms to intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and fetal or neonatal death. Antenatal screening is available but not used routinely in the United States. The most frequent method of AIT identification is its diagnosis in the neonatal period (index neonate). AIT may be diagnosed antenatally if an ICH is noted on routine obstetric ultrasound. There are accurate predictors of AIT, as well as antenatal therapies, to prevent the occurrence of severe disease and ICH.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Women & Infants' Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island 02905, USA. msosa@wihri.org
authors.forename: Mary Ellen Burke
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sosa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet / Q000097:blood*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000451:nursing*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous