Led by the LUMC, the first international multicenter study on treatment strategies and outcomes for babies with fetal and neonatal allo-immune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) has been published in The Lancet Haematology.
FNAIT occurs when the unborn baby’s platelets are broken down by the mother’s antibodies. This puts the baby at risk of severe brain haemorrhage. Due to the rarity of FNAIT, it is not yet clear what the optimal treatment strategy is. Therefore, the researchers in this study compared the treatment and outcomes of approximately 400 children across Australia, the United States and Europe.
They conclude in their study that there are large differences in treatment strategies after childbirth between the different centers. Particularly in the use of platelet transfusions. While some centers do not administer transfusions, others use the method as standard treatment at FNAIT. The study shows that there is therefore no consensus on the treatment of FNAIT, and at the same time exposes important questions.
For example, the researchers’ data suggests that the use of platelets in transfusions does indeed lead to an increase in the baby’s platelet count. But they’re not sure if this actually reduces the risk of brain haemorrhage.
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LUMC