Successful treatment of a steroid-resistant form of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy with high doses of intravenous immunoglobulins.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) during pregnancy may cause serious bleeding in the mother and fetus. Therapy with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins has caused an immediate and predictable rise in platelet count in both adults and children with chronic or acute ITP. We report our experience in managing a woman near term in pregnancy. The patient demonstrated a rapid increase in platelet count, delivered without excessive bleeding and had a normal child with normal platelet count. Intravenous immunoglobulins may offer a new and safe way to control maternal and fetal platelet counts during pregnancy, delivery and neonatal period.