Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy. Giving birth or not giving birth, that is the question

Abstract

Introduction. Pregnancy is one of the most frequent triggers of congenital and acquired forms of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).Aim — to develop tactics for the treatment of pregnant women with TTP.Results. TTP was associated with pregnancy in 55.5 % of all cases of TTP in women. In 5 pregnancies in which the diagnosis of TTP was known before pregnancy, or established in the early stages, TTP was treated throughout the pregnancy. In the congenital form, plasma transfusions were performed once every two weeks until the  20th  week of pregnancy, or  weekly, if thrombocytopenia < 150 × 109 /L persisted. Plasma transfusions were performed weekly after the 20th week with the goal of achieving clinical remission. With acquired TTP, glucocorticosteroids and plasma exchanges were used as  treatment, in 1 case — rituximab, with the aim of achieving a clinical remission and an ADAMTS13 activity > 20 %. In this group of pregnant women, 1 caesarean section was performed and there were 4 cases of vaginal deliveries, with a total of 5 children being born with an average Apgar score of 7.5. In 7 pregnancies in which TTP fi rst manifested late, leading to a delayed diagnosis, preventive and curative measures were not carried out before delivery. In this group there were 2 abortions of pregnancy, 5 surgical deliveries, 3 cases of preeclampsia, 3 acute cerebral circulatory disorders, 1 intraabdominal bleeding, 1 case of acute renal failure, with two women undergoing mechanical ventilation. There was 1 case of antenatal fetal death, with a total of 4 children being born, who were assessed on the Apgar scale with an average of 5 points.Conclusion. Timely diagnosis as well as ongoing therapeutic and preventive measures help to avoid complications during childbirth in pregnant women with TTP.