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  • Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation
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Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Newborn

Journal of Perinatology volume 23, pages 85–87 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

This report describes a newborn who presented with hyperbilirubinemia and thrombocytopenia. The patient recovered after treatment with antibiotics, phototherapy, and a platelet transfusion. Analysis of the plasma von Willebrand factor–cleaving metalloprotease, ADAMTS13, revealed low protease activity in the patient and her two siblings, and a mild deficiency in both parents. These results confirmed the clinical suspicion of hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Although most cases of thrombocytopenia and hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn period are caused by other causes, genetic deficiency of ADAMTS13 may not be as uncommon as previously believed. Early diagnosis may have important implications for the patients.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ann Becker, Debbie Fearing, and Darryl Hake for their help and dedication to patient care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA

    Paul T Jubinsky MD, PhD

  2. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Paul T Jubinsky MD, PhD

  3. Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Richard Moraille MD

  4. Division of Hematology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA

    Han-Mou Tsai MD

Authors
  1. Paul T Jubinsky MD, PhD
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  2. Richard Moraille MD
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  3. Han-Mou Tsai MD
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Additional information

This study was supported, in part, by a grant (R01 HL62131 to H.-M.T.) from the National Institutes of Health.

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Jubinsky, P., Moraille, R. & Tsai, HM. Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Newborn. J Perinatol 23, 85–87 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210853

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