Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is characterized by low platelets in pregnancy. Platelets are called thrombocytes, and hence the condition is called thrombocytopenia. A normal blood platelet count in healthy individuals ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood. When the count falls below 150,000 platelets per microliter, it results in thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is a common blood disorder during pregnancy. Although a slight decrease in platelet count is usually not concerning, a drastic fall may indicate a serious pregnancy complication (1). Read on to learn the causes, symptoms, complications, treatment, and more on thrombocytopenia in pregnancy.
Occurrence Of Thrombocytopenia During Pregnancy
During normal pregnancy, there is a physiological drop in platelet counts due to changes in blood composition in pregnancy. Although usually mild and benign, thrombocytopenia is the second most common blood disorder in pregnancy, the first being anemia (1). The condition affects about 6-15% of pregnant women and is mostly seen in later trimesters or towards the end of pregnancy (2).
Classification Of Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia may be classified into three types based on the number of platelets per microliter of blood (3).
Mild: 100,000 to 150,000 platelets per microliter of blood Moderate: 50,000 to 100,000 platelets per microliter of blood Severe: Less than 50,000 platelets per microliter of blood
The platelet count usually drops during pregnancy for various reasons. However, in women who have platelet counts below moderate (around 100,000 per microliter of blood), other underlying health conditions and non-pregnancy-related etiologies must be evaluated.
Causes Of Low Platelets In Pregnancy
Some of the common causes of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy are (1):
Symptoms Of Thrombocytopenia In Pregnancy
In most cases, pregnant women with thrombocytopenia may be asymptomatic. Some women may show the following common signs of thrombocytopenia (4).
Bleeding from a cut, the gums, or nose that won’t stop Tiny round spots (petechiae) that are caused due to bleeding under the skin Presence of blood in the urine or stool Red or brown bruises (purpura) Frequent bruising Fatigue
Complications Of Thrombocytopenia During Pregnancy
If the platelet count falls extremely during pregnancy and continues to remain low until delivery, it might increase the chances of the following complications (1):
Epidural hematoma and inability to have epidural anesthesia before delivery Increased blood loss/postpartum hemorrhage at the time of or following delivery Recurrent gestational thrombocytopenia if the woman has a history of thrombocytopenia Fetal or neonatal thrombocytopenia (depending on the cause of maternal thrombocytopenia) Other potential complications such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and hemolytic and uremic syndrome (5)
Treatment For Thrombocytopenia During Pregnancy
Depending on the cause of thrombocytopenia, women with thrombocytopenia during pregnancy may not require treatment until the condition is severe. Multidisciplinary care in conjunction with a hematologist is usually needed in pregnant women requiring treatment. Some of the treatment options for thrombocytopenia in pregnancy may include the following (1) (6).
Oral prednisone: The first-line treatment for pregnant women with thrombocytopenia is with the drug prednisone. Although it is considered pregnancy-safe, a few studies have shown its association with certain adverse effects, such as gestational diabetes (1).
Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) and other corticosteroids: Studies have shown that corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy are acceptable in pregnant women with ITP (7).
Blood or platelet transfusions: Platelet transfusion is indicated in case of emergency cesarean delivery and when the platelet count falls below 50,000 per microliter.
Plasma exchange: Research suggests that plasma exchange therapy might be used in cases of severe HELLP syndrome and AFLP.
Precautions For Thrombocytopenia In Pregnancy
Taking certain measures in pregnancy may help in the management of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy (8) (9).
If you have a history of thrombocytopenia or a family history of blood disorders, you must disclose this to your doctor as there may be certain medications that you need to avoid taking, such as aspirin.
Avoid taking any additional medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies without consulting your doctor. These may affect the platelet counts and increase your risk of bleeding.
Do not indulge in contact sports and strenuous activities, which may put you at risk of injuries and bruises.
It is wise to avoid exposure to any toxic and household chemicals, such as pesticides, as they may lead to a drop in platelet counts in some cases.
Avoid alcohol intake to mitigate the risk of lowered platelet production and liver damage.
Be gentle while brushing your teeth, shaving, and blowing your nose to avoid sudden bleeding.
Natural Remedies To Increase Low Platelet Count
The consumption of certain foods during pregnancy may help improve platelet count and improve overall blood health; take note that this does not replace the need to see your doctor regularly and/or medical treatments if necessary (10).
Fresh green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale
Fruits and veggies such as oranges, berries, beetroots, carrots, and tomatoes Foods rich in vitamin C, such as lemon, red bell pepper, sprouts, and broccoli Enriched dairy items, peanuts, walnuts, and dark chocolate Fortified cereals, lentils, black-eyed peas, eggs, and beef liver Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as flaxseeds and fortified cereals
Note: Pregnant women are advised to avoid intake of fish that potentially contain high mercury levels, such as swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and shark. You may contact your doctor if you are unsure about including any new foods in your diet during pregnancy.
Effect Of Thrombocytopenia On The Baby
Mild thrombocytopenia is common in normal pregnancy and has no adverse effects on the mother and fetus. Conversely, severe thrombocytopenia, along with other underlying medical conditions, may lead to adverse fetal-maternal outcomes (1). A few research studies have stated that low maternal platelet count in the first trimester of pregnancy may sometimes lead to complications such as miscarriage (11). However, no research studies prove that thrombocytopenia in pregnancy alone can cause any birth defects in babies (12). Mild thrombocytopenia is relatively common in most pregnancies, but several studies have shown no serious consequences for the mother and the child. Nevertheless, if you have a low platelet count during pregnancy, you must make sure to keep a watch on your symptoms. Take good care and have regular follow-up visits with your healthcare provider so that your thrombocytopenia can be closely monitored.
