Prenatal diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage secondary to maternal idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report

• Published in: American journal of perinatology Vol. 12; no. 4; p. 268
• Main Authors: Tampakoudis, P, Bili, H, Lazaridis, E, Anastasiadou, E, Andreou, A, Mantalenakis, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-1995
• Subjects: Adult; Cerebral Hemorrhage - diagnosis; Cerebral Hemorrhage - etiology; Cesarean Section; Female; Fetal Diseases - diagnosis; Fetal Diseases - etiology; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Prenatal Diagnosis; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic
• ISSN: 0735-1631
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994471

We describe a case of a fetus who developed intracranial hemorrhage at the beginning of the third trimester of the pregnancy, possibly secondary to maternal idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of prenatal diagnosis of fetal intracranial hemorrhage occurring in association with maternal ITP. The intracranial hemorrhage was intra- and periventricular, with the development of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Cesarean section was performed at 37 weeks of gestation. The mother did well but the newborn died 2 months later. The problem of ITP of the mother in relation to pregnancy and the effects on the fetus and the infant are discussed.