Immunologic thrombocytopenia in pregnancy; use of antenatal immunoglobulin therapy: case report and review

Steroid therapy remains the treatment of choice for immunologic thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. However, for cases refractory to steroid therapy, alternate forms of treatment must be used. This case report and review discusses a successful technique for acute, short-term correction of thrombocytopenia. In limited experience the administration of high-dose immunoglobulin appears to be effective for antepartum use in patients with immunologic thrombocytopenia. The concomitant or subsequent performance of splenectomy appears to be a valuable adjunct in long-term treatment of this condition.