Living with Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
A blood condition in which a mother's immune system attacks her baby's platelets, causing low platelets and bleeding.
Understanding Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
It happens when the mother's platelets and the baby's platelets don't match. The mother's immune system sees the baby's platelets as foreign and makes antibodies against them. Many cases are mild. Signs may include a low platelet count and tiny red or purple spots from bleeding into the skin. Severe cases can cause bleeding before or after birth that may lead to long-term disability.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
- Tiny red spots on the skin (petechiae)
- Red or purple spots (purpura)
- Abnormal bleeding
- Blood collection under the scalp (cephalohematoma)
- Bruises or blood pooling (hematomas)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include blood and bone marrow specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Allo Hope Foundation and Fetal Health Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Blood and bone marrow specialists (hematologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Allo Hope Foundation, Fetal Health Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Allo Hope Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It happens when a mother's immune system makes antibodies against molecules (antigens) on her baby's platelets. It is usually triggered when the mother is exposed to the baby's blood during delivery.
Also known as: fnait; nait
Patient organizations
- Allo Hope FoundationFetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia · United States
- Fetal Health FoundationFetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.
Explore research for Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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