Maternal thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: diagnosis and management

Abstract

Thrombocytopenia is a common complication encountered in pregnancy, and can have a wide range of prognostic implications, from completely benign to life threatening. It is important for obstetricians to be aware of the various causes of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy, and to be able to diagnose and manage these patients. This article reviews the various causes of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy, highlights clinical and laboratory features of the most common and most severe causes, and provides an overview of management for these disorders.