Thrombocytopenia
The UK NSC policy on Fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia screening in pregnancy
More Information
When an unborn baby's platelets (cells necessary for blood clotting) are not recognised by the mother's body, she sometimes makes antibodies which attack the baby's platelets (Fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, FMAIT). This causes bleeding in the baby in the womb or shortly after birth. Babies can be at serious risk of brain damage or death.
Policy Position
Screening for this condition should not be offered.
This policy was reviewed in Jul 2006 but no significant changes were made. It is due to be considered again in 2010/11, or earlier if significant new evidence emerges.
Evidence Supporting the Policy
This decision was reached following a report produced for the UK NSC and published in Vox Sanguinis: Murphy MF, Williamson LM, Urbaniak SJ. Antenatal screening for fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: should we be doing it? Vox Sanguinis 2002; 83(Suppl 1):409-16.
Stakeholders
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The stakeholder groups will be involved when the policy is next reviewed. If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.
Related documents
Knowledge update on screening for fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (January 2011) (PDF document, 102KB, 13/09/11)Updated literature search on screening for fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (2012) (PDF document, 74KB, 19/03/12)
