title: Transient severe fetal heart rate abnormalities in a pregnancy complicated by thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare disease. However, in pregnant women it occurs more frequently. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura may be a severe condition for both mother and fetus.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a case of severe but temporary fetal heart rate abnormalities in a pregnancy complicated by thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. There was a remarkably good outcome despite indications of an impaired fetal condition for a period of at least 48 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the literature regarding transient severe neurological symptoms in adults with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, we hypothesize that the transient fetal heart rate abnormalities were most likely due to reversible microthrombi in the placenta.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Hematology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Strasser
authors.forename: Anneke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kwee
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fijnheer
authors.forename: Gerard H A
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*