MONITORING ANTI-HPA-1A PLATELET ANTIBODY-LEVELS DURING PREGNANCY USING THE MAIPA TEST

Anti-HPA-la platelet antibody levels in pregnant women with a history of fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FMAIT) were monitored lon gitudinally using the monoclonal antibody immobilisation of platelet a ntigens (MAIPA) assay, in order to examine any variation in optical de nsity (OD) readings obtained over the course of pregnancy and after de livery. Seven women were selected; 4 were studied retrospectively and 3 prospectively (the latter being treated with intravenous gammaglobul in; IVGG). Levels of anti-HPA-la were measured at various intervals af ter delivery of the first affected infant, to post delivery of the fol lowing affected infant. A decrease in MAIPA OD was demonstrated in all patients during the course of these pregnancies. This assay is a usef ul tool for monitoring anti-HPA-la in women with a history of infants affected with FMAIT. A maternal antibody 'resting' level prior to, or early in the first trimester, must be established for comparison.