Transfusion medicine handbook

6. Special Circumstances

6.18 Neonatal Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia

Neonates with thrombocytopenia associated with maternal autoimmune disease (e.g., immune thrombocytopenia or systemic lupus erythematosis) generally have a benign postnatal course without bleeding complications and one in which often a nadir is reached by day 2 - 3, followed by a spontaneous rise in platelet count by the seventh day. In a small number of cases treatment is warranted due to persistent severe thrombocytopenia. Most neonates respond well to intravenous immunoglobulin in a dose of 2 g/kg body weight. Platelet transfusions have no value in prophylaxis of this condition but may be useful if there is bleeding.