MANAGEMENT OF IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA PURPURA AT A MILITARY MEDICAL-CENTER

Objective: To investigate whether fetal platelets in immune thrombocyt openia purpura (ITP) may be predicted by antepartum assessment, Method s: A prospective analysis was conducted of 28 pregnant women with ITP out of 8,056 deliveries, Of the 28 patients, 13 Were evaluated by feta l scalp sampling and 11 Were evaluated by percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS), Results: The mean fetal and maternal platelet counts prior to delivery were 146,000 and 176,000, respectively. The mean fe tal and maternal platelet counts after delivery were 245,000 and 149,0 00, respectively, Fetal cord platelet counts could not be predicted by maternal platelet count, the presence/absence of maternal direct/indi rect anti-platelet antibodies, steroid therapy, or history of splenect omy, PUBS for fetal platelet assessment correlated well with fetal pos tdelivery counts. Conclusions: Patients with ITP rarely exhibit compli cations. No antepartum characteristic enhances reliable prediction of neonatal outcome. Method of delivery should be based on obstetric guid elines.