Fetal thrombocytopenia refers to an abnormally low platelet count in the fetus. The acceptable normal range for a fetal platelet count is similar to adults and do not vary significantly with gestation age. The lower limit for cut off is therefore usually taken as:
- 150,000/uL for thrombocytopenia and
- 50,000/uL for severe thrombocytopenia
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Epidemiology
Associations
Recognized associations include:
- radial ray anomalies
- placental chorioangioma 3
- maternal autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura: the fetus tends to develop thrombocytopenia in ~40-70% of cases 1.
Pathology
It is most often caused by maternal alloantibodies against fetal platelets crossing the placenta and resulting in platelet destruction. This condition, known as fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is considered a platelet equivalent of Rh isoimmunisation 5.
Other causes include:
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