ABSTRACT
Introduction: We report our experience of 4 pregnancies in 2 patients who had essential thrombocythaemia (ET).
Clinical Picture: Two patients with ET were managed with a variety of therapeutic approaches including the use of low-dose aspirin, plateletpheresis, hydroxyurea and alpha-interferon in the course of their 4 pregnancies. Treatment and Outcome: One patient had 2 successful pregnancies despite having platelet counts in excess of 1000 x 109/L antenatally. The second patient had an intrauterine fetal death during the third trimester of her first pregnancy but had a successful second pregnancy. Conclusion and Clinical Implications: Management of ET in pregnancy is still very much individualised. The impact of various treatment modalities on the pregnancy outcome remains to be proven but a favourable pregnancy outcome is possible.Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is a rare myeloproliferative disease which manifests with an elevated platelet count. It presents predominantly in the middle-aged population, occurring slightly more frequently in women than men.
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