title: An unusual presentation of gestational thrombocytopenia.
abstract: Thrombocytopenia is classically defined as a platelet count of less than 150 000/µl. Counts from 100 000 to 150 000/µl are considered mildly depressed, 50 000 to 100 000/µl moderately depressed, and less than 50 000/µl severely depressed. Thrombocytopenia occurs in about 10% of pregnant women. Gestational thrombocytopenia (GT) is a diagnosis of exclusion and considered the most prevalent cause of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. GT accounts for almost 75% of cases of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. The cause of GT is unclear, although existing studies denote the possibility of accelerated platelet consumption and the increased plasma volume during pregnancy. The presence of antiplatelet antibodies is not specific to GT. The degree of thrombocytopenia in GT is usually mild to moderate, usually remaining greater than 70 000/µl. Patients are asymptomatic with no evidence of bleeding and rarely preconception history of thrombocytopenia. The platelet count returns to normal within 2-12 weeks post partum. We wish to report a unique case of GT presenting as blurred vision due to retinal hemorrhages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Calvin C Y
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Azam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakhtiari
authors.forename: Visvaraja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Subrayan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis*