SLE-ASSOCIATED THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN PREGNANCY - SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME WITH COMBINED IGG INFUSION AND PLATELET TRANSFUSION

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia presents special problems during pregnancy because of the limited therapeutic options and the risks posed by eve n moderate degrees of thrombocytopenia. Although corticosteroids and i ntravenous immunoglobulin G (IV IgG) have been shown to be useful and relatively safe therapies, they are not always effective. We describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed severe thrombocytopenia unresponsive to prednisone and IV IgG. The combinati on of IV IgG and platelet transfusion immediately before delivery resu lted in a rapid rise in platelet count and allowed a lower segment cae sarean section to be undertaken without perioperative complication.