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Recurrent Gestational Thrombocytopenia Affecting Four Consecutive Pregnancies: A Case Report.
- Source :
-
Cureus [Cureus] 2023 Jan 20; Vol. 15 (1), pp. e34005. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jan 20 (Print Publication: 2023). - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Gestational thrombocytopenia is the commonest cause of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy, accounting for 70-80% of cases. It is a benign condition that recovers completely in the postpartum period. Although the cause is not fully understood, it is thought that pregnancy-related hemodilution and increased platelet consumption play a significant contributory role. Several life-threatening causes of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy make up the remaining 20-30% of cases. There are reports of recurrence of GT in women, but not many case reports document more than three consecutive episodes. We present a case of a young woman who had gestational thrombocytopenia during the third trimester of her four consecutive pregnancies, followed by complete recovery after each pregnancy. We ruled out other sinister and life-threatening causes of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. During her four consecutive pregnancies, her platelet count fell below normal at the beginning of the third trimester, with a nadir towards the end. The other hematological indices, generally used as markers of hemodilution, remained in the normal pregnancy-specific reference range during each of her four pregnancies. This case argues against pregnancy-related hemodilution being a major factor in gestational thrombocytopenia. A systematic approach is paramount when differentiating the several causes of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.<br /> (Copyright © 2023, Omoloye et al.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2168-8184
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Cureus
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 36694855
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.34005