Thrombocythaemia in pregnancy

• reactive thrombocytosis (RT) may be responsible for more than 85% of cases with thrombocythaemia
  • causes of reactive thrombocythaemia (including inflammation, infection, haemorrhage and iron deficiency) must be excluded before a diagnosis of essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is made
    • in women of reproductive age the increased prevalence of iron deficiency should be considered
    • note though that, any degree of persistent thrombocytosis, whether or not it fulfils the conventional criterion of being above 600×10⁹/l, must be pursued for the possible diagnosis of ET

Reference:

1. Gangat N, Tefferi A. Myeloproliferative neoplasms and pregnancy: overview and practice recommendations. Am J Hematol. 2021 Mar 1;96(3):354-66.