Severe neonatal thrombocytopenia due to anti-HPA-4b alloantibodies: Third report described in a Caucasian mother.

BACKGROUND

Fetal and Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) results from maternal platelet alloimmunization against paternal antigens inherited by the fetus, most often due to the Human Platelet Antigen (HPA)-1 system in Caucasians. We investigated in 2023, a 30-year-old Caucasian woman Gravida 2 Para 1 who gave birth at 35 weeks of gestation to a male (body weight 2210 g) without signs of bleeding. A severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count at 3 G/L) was discovered incidentally a few hours after delivery in the context of the management of a respiratory distress. The newborn recovered after one platelet concentrate transfusion and normalized his platelet count at Day 5.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

FNAIT investigation was performed according to guideline recommendations. Platelet genotyping was carried out by multiplex PCR. Maternal serological investigation included Monoclonal Antibody-specific Immobilization of Platelet Antigens method (MAIPA) and Luminex technology.

RESULTS

Parental and newborn genotyping pointed out an HPA-4 incompatibility between the mother and the newborn and the father. Serological investigation revealed an anti-HPA-4b alloantibody confirming the diagnosis of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSION

We described the third case of anti-HPA-4b alloantibody discovered in a Caucasian mother. This case strengthens the need for reference laboratory to genotype a panel of HPA alleles reflecting local genetic population diversity and for crossmatch of maternal serum with fresh paternal platelets in clinical suspected cases of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.