Successful management of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with pregnancy

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon, severe, potentially life-threatening disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, altered mental status, fever, and renal abnormalities. It can be seen at any age or sex but affects women of childbearing age more commonly. Pregnancy is known as one of the most common precipitating events for the onset of TTP and occurs mostly in the late third trimester or during the puerperium. Because of relatively low prevalence of pregnancy-related TTP, here we report the clinical characteristics and successful outcomes of 7 women with pregnancy-related TTP. Median age of patients was 25 (19-32). While 4 out of 7 women were primiparous, others were multiparous. Total plasma exchange (TPE) procedure was started within 24 h after admission to our hospital. All patients got into complete remission without any maternal mortality. Fetal mortality was found to be 28%. Pregnancy-related TTP is still associated with high maternal and fetal mortality rates. However, the prognosis of TTP has improved dramatically with early diagnosis and plasma- based therapies.