Platelet Count Response to Obstetrical Use of IVIG for Maternal Thrombocytopenia: A 14-Year Retrospective Study

Introduction:

Thrombocytopenia affects approximately 10% of pregnant individuals with Gestational Thrombocytopenia (GT) accounting for 80% of cases and Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) representing 3% of cases. Distinguishing between GT and ITP is challenging, leading to many pregnant individuals with moderate thrombocytopenia receiving treatment for 'possible ITP' with Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) in attempt to raise platelet counts (PLT) for safe labor and delivery and to potentially allow for neuraxial anesthesia. However, evidence on the impact of IVIG on PLT during pregnancy remains limited, and predictive factors for IVIG response are lacking. We aim to investigate the effect of IVIG on PLT in pregnant individuals with moderate thrombocytopenia (PLT < 100 x 10⁹/L). The specific objectives are to assess the incremental response in maternal PLT following IVIG administration, the proportion of PLT exceeding 80 x 10⁹/L after IVIG administration, the proportion of incremental increase in PLT by more than 20 x 10⁹/L following IVIG administration, and to identify factors associated with these outcomes.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative and chart review data between 2007-2020. We included all pregnant individuals who received IVIG for moderate thrombocytopenia. Data collected encompassed parameters such as age, gestational age at delivery, platelet counts at various timepoints, highest immature platelet fraction (IPF) during pregnancy, IVIG dose and frequency, hemoglobin levels, transfusions, and corticosteroid use. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Paired t-test was used to compare means of PLT pre- and post-IVIG administration. Simple logistic regression was used to assess predictors of PLT ≥ 80 x10⁹/L and PLT increment ≥ 20 x10⁹/L post-IVIG.

Results:

Out of 651 deliveries with moderate thrombocytopenia, 79 (12.1%) received IVIG for a total of 4,527.50 grams and a median dose of 60 g (IQR: 30 – 77.5). Excluding 22 pregnancies due to other interventions such as platelet transfusions (n=12), corticosteroids (n=7), or both (n=3), 57 remained for analysis. The median incremental response in PLT following IVIG administration was 27 x10⁹/L (IQR: 3—94). Pre-IVIG PLT median was 65 x10⁹/L (IQR: 48—73), and post-IVIG PLT median was 98 x10⁹/L (IQR: 69—142). PLT increment ≥ 20 x 10⁹/L following IVIG was observed in 54.4% (31/57) of deliveries, and 57.9% (33/57) of deliveries achieved PLT ≥ 80 x 10⁹/L following IVIG administration. Mean PLT post-IVIG (M = 112.51 x10⁹/L, SD 55.88) were significantly greater than pre-IVIG PLT (M = 59 x10⁹/L, SD = 19.71) by 53.51 points, p = < .001.

Nadir PLT < 30 in pregnancy was associated with a statistically significant increase in PLT ≥ 80 x10⁹/L following IVIG (odds ratio (OR) = 6.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.25–31.51, p < 0.05) and PLT increment ≥ 20 x10⁹/L (OR = 7.58, 95% CI = 1.51–38.05, p < 0.05). An IPF < 16% was also associated with a statistically significant increase in PLT ≥ 80 x10⁹/L (OR = 4.85, 95% CI = 1.08–21.76, p < 0.05) and PLT increment ≥ 20 x10⁹/L (OR = 4.85, 95% CI = 1.08 – 21.76, p < 0.05). Moreover, a post-IVIG PLT increment ≥ 20 x10⁹/L was positively associated with pre-IVIG PLT below 50 x10⁹/L (OR = 8.67, 95% CI = 1.73 – 43.33, p < 0.05), but negatively associated with PLT 70—100 x10⁹/L (OR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.05 – 0.57, p < 0.05).

For post-IVIG PLT ≥ 80 x10⁹/L, there were no statistically significant relationships with gestational age, maternal age, pre-pregnant PLT or pre-IVIG PLT. Similarly, for post-IVIG PLT increment ≥ 20 x10⁹/L, there were no statistically significant relationships with GA, maternal age, pre-pregnant PLT, or a pre-IVIG PLT between 50-69 x10⁹/L.

Conclusions:

IVIG administration shows promising results for pregnant individuals with moderate thrombocytopenia. The study highlights the importance of nadir PLT in pregnancy, IPF levels, and pre-IVIG PLT as potential factors influencing the response to IVIG treatment. Our study is limited by its retrospective and single-centered design, and small sample size. Nevertheless, these findings generate hypotheses and could inform future prospective multicenter studies to optimize IVIG administration in this setting, considering its effectiveness and potential risks while minimizing costs.