Case report: a pregnant woman with immune thrombocytopenic purpura and unusual red cell antibodies

Maternal immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) may lead to fetal platelet destruction. This process is mediated by IgG platelet autoantibodies that cross the placenta. In this case, not only were platelet autoantibodies present, but red cell alloantibodies anti-E, anti-M, and anti-He were also present. Anti-E, present as an IgG antibody, crossed the placenta, but did not cause clinical problems in the E+ newborn, other than possible hyperbilirubinemia that was treated by phototherapy. Immunohematology 1995;11:153–155.