Can neutropenia cause thrombocytopenia?

Combined autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an extremely rare and therapeutically challenging disease [1]. Patients may present with extremely low neutrophil and platelet counts, leading to repetitive infectious and bleeding complications [2, 3].

What is the most common cause of neonatal thrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia in the ill or very premature infant is most commonly secondary to sepsis, followed by necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), birth asphyxia, chronic intra-uterine hypoxia, TORCH (toxoplasmosis, other agents, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex) infections, or disseminated intravascular coagulation.

What causes neutropenia in newborns?

Low levels of neutrophils occur when the bone marrow cannot replace them as fast as needed. In babies, the most common cause is infection. A very severe infection may cause neutrophils to be used up quickly. It may also prevent the bone marrow from producing more neutrophils.

What is neutropenia thrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia refers to low levels of platelets (idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura or ITP in this instance). Neutropenia refers to low levels of certain white blood cells known as neutrophils. Evans syndrome is defined as the association of AIHA along with ITP; neutropenia occurs less often.

When is thrombocytopenia most common in newborns?

Thrombocytopenia, defined as a platelet count <150,000/microL, occurs more often during the neonatal period than in older populations. In particular, the risk and severity of thrombocytopenia increases for newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Can a family member not be diagnosed with neutropenia?

Thus, the absence of a family member with neutropenia does not exclude the diagnosis of ethnic neutropenia. In iso (allo)-immune neutropenia of infancy, evaluate maternal serum for neutrophil antibodies, usually anti–HNA-1 or anti–HNA-2. A positive result is consistent with iso (allo)-immune neutropenia.

How is HPA-1 related to fetal thrombocytopenia?

In susceptible pregnant women, this interaction could result in an immune response to HPA-1, leading to the development of alloantibodies that cross the placenta and produce fetal thrombocytopenia. This reaction to first trimester trophoblasts could explain how FMAIT can present clinically during the first incompatible pregnancy.

What happens to a fetus with fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia?

Fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FMAIT) occurs when a woman becomes alloimmunized against fetal platelet antigens inherited from the fetus’s father. Most cases are mild; however, severe cases can cause intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), resulting in death or long-term disability.