Case of maternal and fetal deaths due to severe congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (Upshaw-Schulman syndrome) during pregnancy

Morbidities and mortality in patients with hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (hTTP) is a rare disorder caused by severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. Major morbidities and death at a young age are common. Although replacement of ADAMTS13 can prevent morbidities and death, current regimens of plasma prophylaxis are insufficient. We identified 226 patients with hTTP in 96 reports published from 2001 through 2020. Age at diagnosis was reported for 202 patients; 117 were female and 85 were male. The difference was caused by diagnosis of 34 women during pregnancy, suggesting that many men and nulliparous women are not diagnosed. Eighty-three patients had severe jaundice at birth; hTTP was suspected and effectively treated in only 3 infants. Of the 217 patients who survived infancy, 73 (34%) had major morbidities defined as stroke, kidney injury, or cardiac injury that occurred at a median age of 21 years. Sixty-two patients had stroke; 13 strokes occurred in children age 10 years or younger. Of the 54 patients who survived their initial major morbidity and were subsequently observed, 37 (69%) had sustained or subsequent major morbidities. Of the 39 patients who were observed after age 40 years, 20 (51%) had experienced a major morbidity. Compared with an age- and sex-matched US population, probability of survival was lower at all ages beginning at birth. Prophylaxis was initiated in 45 patients with a major morbidity; in 11 (28%), a major morbidity recurred after prophylaxis had begun. Increased recognition of hTTP and more effective prophylaxis started at a younger age are required to improve health outcomes.

A Case Report of Congenital Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: The Peripheral Blood Smear Lights the Diagnosis

We report on a 12-year-old boy with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, on who had an erroneous diagnosis as chronic immune thrombocytopenia. The patient presented with complaints of jaundice and skin rash. Laboratory analysis showed nonimmune hemolytic anemia and severe thrombocytopenia. Peripheral blood smear showed 8% schistocytes, polychromasia, and anisocytosis. The ADAMTS13 antigen and activity were suspected to be lower than 5% with any antibodies against the enzyme. The DNA sequence analyses resulted in compound heterozygosity consisting of c.291_391del in exon 3 and c.4143dupA in exon 29. Schistocyte (fragmented erythrocytes) on the peripheral blood smear is a light that illuminates the diagnosis. Early recognition of the disease can prevent inappropriate treatments and morbidities due to organ damage.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome diagnosed in pregnancy: Case report

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a medical emergency that demands prompt diagnosis to allow lifesaving treatment: plasmapheresis. TTP during pregnancy is rare, with estimated prevalence of 1/200 000, and even rarer in association with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, with only two cases reported. Differential diagnosis includes HELLP syndrome (hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets), sepsis, intravascular-disseminated coagulation, and acquired autoimmune diseases, each one with its unique treatment and prognosis. A case of a pregnant woman at 26th week with sudden onset of left hand paresthesia and purpura is reported. PLASMIC score showed high risk for ADAMTS-13 deficiency and diagnosis of TTP was made. Human immunodeficiency virus screening test was positive on admission. Plasmapheresis and antiretroviral therapy were initiated and the delivery of a healthy newborn at full-term gestation was achieved, unlike other cases in literature. No obstetric complications were observed and the follow-up shows no signs of disease recurrence.

A successfully treated case of an acute presentation of congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (Upshaw-Schulman syndrome) with decreased ADAMTS13 during late stage of pregnancy

We herein report the case of a 28-year-old pregnant woman with an acute presentation of remarkable petechiae on her lower extremities and severe thrombocytopenia (16 000/mm³ ) at the 35th week of gestation. Although idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was initially suspected, subsequent examinations revealed that her ADAMTS13 (a Disintegrin And Metalloprotease, with ThromboSpondin type 1 repeats, member 13) titer was extremely decreased, while she was negative for antibodies against ADAMTS13. Infusion of fresh frozen plasma was immediately performed, and the platelet count was observed to increase. However, severe pregnancy-induced hypertension and proteinuria emerged at 36 weeks and 2 days of gestation, and a male infant was delivered by emergency cesarean section on the 37th week of gestation. The postnatal development was uncomplicated. After delivery, although the mother's platelet count and ADAMTS13 activity decreased temporarily, both values increased following fresh frozen plasma transfusion. This case showed interesting aspects of congenital thrombocytopenic purpura (Upshaw-Schulman syndrome) in pregnancy. Moreover, the rapid measurement of the patient's ADAMTS13 activity and the subsequent accurate diagnosis of congenital thrombocytopenic purpura made it possible to treat the patient with fresh frozen plasma infusion and avoid contraindicated platelet infusion. Close cooperation between obstetricians, hematologists and pediatricians is necessary to achieve successful outcomes in cases of thrombocytopenic purpura during pregnancy.

Success and limitations of plasma treatment in pregnant women with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

BACKGROUND

Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP), otherwise known as Upshaw-Schulman syndrome, is an extremely rare hereditary disease. Pregnancy is identified as a trigger for TTP episodes in patients with cTTP.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the ideal management of pregnant patients with cTTP.

PATIENTS/METHODS

We identified 21 patients with a reproductive history (38 pregnancies) in a Japanese cTTP registry. Fetal outcomes were compared between two groups: group 1 (n = 12), pregnancy after diagnosis of confirmed cTTP by ADAMTS13 gene analysis; and group 2 (n = 26), pregnancy before diagnosis of confirmed cTTP.

RESULTS

In group 1, ADAMTS13 activity was closely monitored until delivery in most cases. Among 10 pregnancies in group 1, prophylactic fresh frozen plasma (FFP) infusions during pregnancy were performed to replenish ADAMTS13. In group 2, prophylactic FFP infusions were not administrated in 23 pregnancies and FFP test infusions were performed in only three pregnancies. The live birth rate of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 2 (91.7% vs 50.0%, respectively, P = .027). The fetal survival rates of women without FFP infusions were dramatically decreased after 20 weeks of gestation. The FFP infusion dosage in group 1 was generally higher than 5 mL/kg/wk by 20 weeks of gestation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that FFP infusions of more than 5 mL/kg/wk should be initiated as soon as patients become pregnant. However, even with these infusions, patients with repeated TTP episodes before pregnancy might have difficulty giving birth successfully. Recombinant ADAMTS13 products might be new treatment options for pregnant patients with cTTP.

Incidence of obstetrical thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a retrospective study within thrombocytopenic pregnant women. A difficult diagnosis and a treatable disease

Background

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) defined as ADAMTS-13 (A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease with ThromboSpondin type 1 domain 13) activity <10 % is a rare aetiology of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy, although the precise incidence is unknown. During pregnancy, the diagnosis of TTP is crucial as it has high feto-maternal morbidity-mortality and requires urgent plasma exchange. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of TTP retrospectively and to describe case presentations and follow-up.

Methods

A monocentric retrospective study (2008–2009) was conducted among pregnant women followed in a tertiary care obstetrical unit who experienced at least one episode of severe thrombocytopenia (platelets ≤75 G/L) during 2008 and 2009. In cases of uncertain aetiology of thrombocytopenia, ADAMTS-13 activity was assessed by the full length technique.

Results

Among 8,908 deliveries over the 2 year period, 79 women had a platelet count nadir ≤75 G/L. Eighteen had a known aetiology of thrombocytopenia and 11 were lost to follow-up. Among 50 remaining patients, ADAMTS-13 activity was undetectable (<5 %) in 4, consistent with the diagnosis of TTP. Platelet count spontaneously normalized in 3 patients after delivery. None presented focal cerebral involvement. Three of the four, who were primipara patients, had a sustained severe deficiency in the absence of anti-ADAMTS-13 antibodies, and ADAMTS-13 gene sequencing indicated a constitutive deficiency. The fourth, a multipara patient, had an acquired, auto-immune TTP. Placental pathology in the three primipara patients showed severe and non-specific ischemic lesions. Two patients lost their babies shortly after birth. In subsequent pregnancies in these two patients, prophylactic plasma infusion initiated early with increasing volume throughout pregnancy prevented TTP relapse, improved placental pathology, and led to normal delivery.

Conclusions

The prevalence of TTP among thrombocytopenic pregnant women is high, up to 5 % in a tertiary unit. Platelet count normalization after delivery does not eliminate TTP. Clinicians should be aware of TTP during pregnancy, and, even if assessed retrospectively, ADAMTS-13 assessment is of particular importance for identifying patients with congenital TTP. In these patients, preventive plasma infusion and/or exchange can dramatically improve foetal prognosis, resulting in successful childbirth.

Late onset and pregnancy-induced congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

We report on our patient (case 2) who experienced a first acute episode of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) at the age of 19 years during her first pregnancy in 1976 which ended in a spontaneous abortion in the 30th gestational week. Treatment with red blood cell concentrates was implemented and splenectomy was performed. After having suffered from several TTP episodes in 1977, possibly mitigated by acetylsalicylic acid therapy, an interruption and sterilization were performed in 1980 in her second pregnancy thereby avoiding another disease flare-up. Her elder sister (case 1) had been diagnosed with TTP in 1974, also during her first pregnancy. She died in 1977 during her second pregnancy from a second acute TTP episode.

DIAGNOSIS

In 2013 a severe ADAMTS13 deficiency of <10% without detectable ADAMTS13 inhibitor was repeatedly found. Investigation of the ADAMTS13 gene showed that the severe ADAMTS13 deficiency was caused by compound heterozygous ADAMTS13 mutations: a premature stop codon in exon 2 (p.Q44X), and a missense mutation in exon 24 (p.R1060W) associated with low but measurable ADAMTS13 activity.

CONCLUSION

Genetic analysis of the ADAMTS13 gene is important in TTP patients of all ages if an ADAMTS13 inhibitor has been excluded.