ISO IMMUNE NEONATAL THROMBOCYTOPENIA

[agirlandtwoboys]

My very close friend recently lost her baby at 21weeks.
She went for her 20 week scan to be told that they thought the baby had Spina Bifida. She had to go back the following week to be re scanned and was told that the baby had died. She delivered 2 days later.

She has a review on 12th May with hosp consultant, but asked our GP to let her know if she found anything out 1st.
She went to GP on Thurs expecting to be told that baby had spina bifida or hydrocephalus.

She has been told that her and her husband have incompatible blood - ISOIMMUNE NEONATAL THROMBOCYTOPENIA and that the chances of re occurance are 50-80%.

They have a little girl aready who appears to be fine.

Has anyone heard of this, and more importantly, is there anything that can be done. I am in the dark about immune issues, but someone may know something on here!

Many thanks.

Message withdrawn

So sorry for your friend.

I don't know anything about INTP specifically as I am only a v humble Gp and this is really rather rare problem.

However: When the mother's and Father's blood groups don't "match" sometimes mun's immune system will develop antibodies to baby's blood cells as they are wrongly recognised as hostile foreign bodies if you want. This is v roughly the underlying problem in INTP as well as I understand it.
What is much more common is a Rhesus incompatibility ie when mum is Rhesus negative and dad is Rhesus positive. This problem only occurs at subsequent pregancies as the body has to be sensitised to dad's proteins, baby's red blood cells get attacked and baby ends up at best anaemic after birth or pregnancy does not make it . This is why Rhesus negative expecting mums are given so-called Anti-D injections if they bleed during a pregnancy or after delivery to prevent antibodies from affecting NEXT pregnancy.

I imagine something similar must have happened to your poor friends as well although obviously more complex and not as common and affecting baby's platelets(thrombocytes), the cells that help with blood clotting. I have no idea what treatment might be available for this, sorry!

Just reread what I wrote and realise is v confusing. Also, there is obviously a reason why I do not write medical text books . Like I said I am no specialist by any stretch of the imagination.

So sorry for your friend though. Hope she and her husband can get through this together. You sound like a good friend to her.
HTH a bit.

Many thanks PD.

Her husbands brother and his wife lost a baby 5 yrs ago at approx same gestation, but didnt have a PM so don't know why. That was their 2nd of 3 pregnancies, 3rd child surviving and fine.

Hi there, I don't know about that particular problem but I totally sympathise with her as it must be such a difficult, sad and uncertain time. She (or you) could try ringing ARC (ante natal choices and results) who are a charity specialising in support for pregnant mums undergoing tests etc. They may be able to point her in the direction of someone who can give her more specific info. I know what it is like to need information, fast, to help know what has happened and why, and give some hope for the future. Hope is a very important thing.
Also ARC give support to parents who have lost their babies, and have a parents forum to share experiences and get support when you are going through tough times. (there is a thread running about this). A charity called Sands are a great place too, to get help and support when you are grieving for a baby. You don't say how she is coping but I hope she is ok. This must be such a shock. I would urge her to reach out for help though if she needs it.
I hope she manages to find out enough information to help her decide what to do for future pregnancies. She may be referred for genetic counselling? I had some at Guys and they were very good.
Glad she has a friend like you.
Best wishes. Lins xx

Gosh, what a very very unfortunate family . It does make me wonder whether it is something genetic ??

Hope they get all the advice and information they can - and of course treatment if there is any.

Maybe you'll find some knowledgable imminologist on here as well.