Objective: To evaluate the incidence of thrombocytopenia in infants whose mothers had experienced thrombocytopenia during pregnancy, and the relationship between such diagnosis and clinical features.

Material and Method: We retrospectively studied the demographic characteristics of mothers with platelet counts <150,000/mm³ whose babies were born in our hospital between 2011 and 2013; their platelet counts and clinical findings were retrieved from our records.

Results: A total of 131 pregnant women were diagnosed with benign gestational thrombocytopenia (n= 48, 36%), pre-eclampsia and/or HELLP syndrome (n=39, 30.5%), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (n=14,10%), or other conditions (systemic lupus erythematosus, Bernard-Soulier syndrome, pseudothrombocytopenia, or pancytopenia) (n=10, 7.5%). Thrombocytopenia was detected in 10 (7.6%) infants; 4 (8%) of their mothers had experienced benign gestational thrombocytopenia, 2 (5%) had pre-eclampsia and/or hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet (HELLP) syndrome, 2 (14%) had ITP, and 2 (6.6%) had other conditions.

Conclusion: We found that the incidence of thrombocytopenia was high in infants whose mothers had experienced ITP or pre-eclampsia and/or HELLP syndrome. Also, thrombocytopenia was apparent in 8% of infants born to mothers who had experienced benign gestational thrombocytopenia. A complete blood count should be scheduled soon after birth for infants diagnosed with thrombocytopenia; this would ensure a good prognosis.

Gestational thrombocytopenia Platelet count Newborn