What Is Maternal Thrombocytopenia?

Maternal thrombocytopenia, or gestational thrombocytopenia, is a blood disorder that can occur during pregnancy. Usually it does not require treatment and resolves itself after the baby is born.

Definition

• Thrombocytes or platelets are blood cells that are important in blood clotting. When the number of platelets falls below 150,000 per microliter of blood, you have a low platelet count known as thrombocytopenia, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Cause

• You are constantly making new platelets as old ones are destroyed. Thrombocytopenia can occur because you are not making enough platelets, or because you are destroying them too quickly. During pregnancy about 5 percent of women have mild thrombocytopenia because they can not make new platelets fast enough, according to "Primary Care for Women."

Symptoms

• Mild cases of maternal thrombocytopenia do not cause symptoms. In a more severe case, you might bruise easily, have a rash from bleeding into your skin (petachiae), or bleed from your gums or nose. In very severe cases (fewer than 10,000 platelets per microliter), internal bleeding can start.

Tests

• Your doctor can determine your platelet count with a simple blood test. You might be diagnosed with a mild case of maternal thrombocytopenia even if you have not noticed any symptoms.

Prognosis

• Most cases of maternal thrombocytopenia are mild, do not endanger you or your baby and will clear up on their own after your baby is born. In more severe cases, you might need a blood transfusion.