Neonatal alloimune thrombocytopenia: report of two cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (NAT) is a disease characterized by the presence of maternal IgG antibodies against a fetal platelet antigen, resulting in the destruction of the fetal platelets and, consequently, thrombocytopenia. In neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, the newborn carries a paternal platelet antigen that is absent in the mother. The article reports two cases of NAT from the Neonatal Unity of the Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo (HU-USP) in 2007. The authors perform a review about the subject, discussing the importance of the early diagnosis and emphasizing the need for populational parameters regarding the identification of platelet antigens in our environment.