Current perspectives on fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia – increasing clinical concerns and new treatment opportunities

Heidi Tiller,1 Anne Husebekk,1 Maria Therese Ahlen,2 Tor B Stuge,1 Bjørn Skogen3 1Immunology Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 2Division of Diagnostic Services, Department of Laboratory Medicine, 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Norwegian National Unit for Platelet Immunology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway Abstract: Differences in platelet type between the fetus and the mother can lead to maternal immunization and destruction of the fetal platelets, a condition named fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT). FNAIT is reported to occur in ~1 per 1,000 live born neonates. The major risk is intracranial hemorrhage in the fetus or newborn, which is associated with severe neurological complications or death. Since no countries have yet implemented a screening program to detect pregnancies at risk, the diagnosis is typically established after the birth of a child with symptoms. Reports on broader clinical impact have increased clinical concern and awareness. Along with new treatment options for FNAIT, the debate around antenatal screening to detect pregnancies at risk of FNAIT has been revitalized. Keywords: antibodies, screening, alloimmunization, platelets, newborn, pregnanc

Fetal intracranial haemorrhages caused by fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: an observational cohort study of 43 cases from an international multicentre registry

OBJECTIVE: To characterise pregnancies where the fetus or neonate was diagnosed with fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) and suffered from intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), with special focus on time of bleeding onset. DESIGN: Observational cohort study of all recorded cases of ICH caused by FNAIT from the international No IntraCranial Haemorrhage (NOICH) registry during the period 2001–2010. SETTING: 13 tertiary referral centres from nine countries across the world. PARTICIPANTS: 37 mothers and 43 children of FNAIT pregnancies complicated by fetal or neonatal ICH identified from the NOICH registry was included if FNAIT diagnosis and ICH was confirmed. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Gestational age at onset of ICH, type of ICH and clinical outcome of ICH were the primary outcome measures. General maternal and neonatal characteristics of pregnancies complicated by fetal/neonatal ICH were secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: From a total of 592 FNAIT cases in the registry, 43 confirmed cases of ICH due to FNAIT were included in the study. The majority of bleedings (23/43, 54%) occurred before 28 gestational weeks and often affected the first born child (27/43, 63%). One-third (35%) of the children died within 4 days after delivery. 23 (53%) children survived with severe neurological disabilities and only 5 (12%) were alive and well at time of discharge. Antenatal treatment was not given in most (91%) cases of fetal/neonatal ICH. CONCLUSIONS: ICH caused by FNAIT often occurs during second trimester and the clinical outcome is poor. In order to prevent ICH caused by FNAIT, at-risk pregnancies must be identified and prevention and/or interventions should start early in the second trimester

European Fantacy of the Arctic Region and the Rise of Indigenous Sámi Voices in the global Arena

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