Objective: To estimate the risk of neonatal thrombocytopenia in infants born to mothers with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Methods: During the years 1993-1997, there were 6,082 deliveries. There were 32 infants born to 31 mothers with ITP. Cordocentesis was performed between 34 and 41 weeks of gestation in 16 mothers with ITP. The cord blood platelet count was checked in all cases at delivery.

Results: In mothers with ITP, 5 neonates (15.6%) had mild thrombocytopenia and 7 neonates (21.9%) moderate thrombocytopenia. Severe thrombocytopenia was not observed in any neonate born to mothers with ITP.

Conclusions: The means of delivery in pregnant women with ITP can be determined solely on the basis of obstetric indications because the incidence of severe fetal and neonatal thrombocytopenia is very rare, neonatal intracranial hemorrhage is unlikely to be related to the mode of delivery and percutaneous umbilical blood sampling is technically difficult with a risk of fetal death.