[219 Zw(a) positive mothers of children with clinically suspected neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia].

The sera of 219 Zwa-positive mothers who gave birth to children with clinically suspected neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) were tested for platelet-reactive antibodies using the platelet adhesion immunofluorescence test and a glycoprotein-specific immunoassay (MAIPA). In 102 families a serological crossmatch of maternal serum against paternal platelets was performed. 12 sera contained platelet specific antibodies: Zwb (1), Bra (4), Bra and HLA (5), Baka and HLA (1), Sra (1); three further sera contained antibodies against blood group A (1), blood group B (1), blood group B and HLA (1). Anti-Bra was the most important antibody in this cohort. There is evidence that in certain cases antibodies against blood group antigens A or B may cause NAIT. Clinical data of NAIT duo to anti-Bra suggest a less severe bleeding tendency than in NAIT due to anti-Zwa. The HLA-DRw6 antigen was identified as an immunogenetic marker for the immunization against the Bra-antigen.