Isolated anti-Ro/SSA thrombocytopenia: a rare feature of neonatal lupus

Abstract

We report a rare case of isolated thrombocytopenia related to anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. The mother was  followed for unlabeled familial thrombocytopenia. The mother had positive anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. She was asymptomatic without skin lesions or other criteria neither of systemic lupus erythematosus nor other  connective tissue disease. Pregnancy was uneventful. The postnatal examination was normal. On the first day of life, blood cells count showed thrombocytopenia at 40 x 109/L. Within the second day of life, platelet level  dropped to 20 x 109/L. The management of thrombocytopenia included platelet transfusion and human  immunoglobulin infusion. On the fifth day of life, there has been a drop in platelet count to 10 x 109/L requiring renewed platelet transfusion and human immunoglobulin infusion. On the 10th of life platelets rate was stable around 60 x 109/L. The infant had no evidence of cardiac, dermatologic or hepatobilary involvement initially or throughout follow up.

Key words: Neonatal lupus erythematosus, thrombocytopenia, anti-Ro/SSA