Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia Due to Malignancy in Pregnancy

Sarah K. Happe; Amanda C. Zofkie; David B. Nelson

doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000001675

Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia Due to Malignancy in Pregnancy

Sarah K. Happe, Amanda C. Zofkie, David B. Nelson

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Microangiopathic disorders during pregnancy remain a diagnostic challenge because these conditions often imitate more common obstetric diseases. CASE: A 31-year-old multigravid woman delivered at term with a postpartum course complicated by laboratory indices consistent with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome. After clinical recovery, she was readmitted 2 weeks after delivery with presumptive pyelonephritis. Persistent hemolysis and worsening thrombocytopenia suggested a diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy, which did not respond to plasma exchange. Directed bone biopsy revealed metastatic signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is rarely the initial clinical manifestation of malignancy. Given the similar features of several common obstetric complications, additional diagnostic measures may be necessary to refine the diagnosis in cases unresponsive to standard obstetric management.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1437-1440
Number of pages	4
Journal	Obstetrics and gynecology
Volume	128
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000001675
State	Published - Dec 1 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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10.1097/AOG.0000000000001675

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abstract = "BACKGROUND: Microangiopathic disorders during pregnancy remain a diagnostic challenge because these conditions often imitate more common obstetric diseases. CASE: A 31-year-old multigravid woman delivered at term with a postpartum course complicated by laboratory indices consistent with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome. After clinical recovery, she was readmitted 2 weeks after delivery with presumptive pyelonephritis. Persistent hemolysis and worsening thrombocytopenia suggested a diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy, which did not respond to plasma exchange. Directed bone biopsy revealed metastatic signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is rarely the initial clinical manifestation of malignancy. Given the similar features of several common obstetric complications, additional diagnostic measures may be necessary to refine the diagnosis in cases unresponsive to standard obstetric management.",

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AU - Nelson, David B.

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N2 - BACKGROUND: Microangiopathic disorders during pregnancy remain a diagnostic challenge because these conditions often imitate more common obstetric diseases. CASE: A 31-year-old multigravid woman delivered at term with a postpartum course complicated by laboratory indices consistent with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome. After clinical recovery, she was readmitted 2 weeks after delivery with presumptive pyelonephritis. Persistent hemolysis and worsening thrombocytopenia suggested a diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy, which did not respond to plasma exchange. Directed bone biopsy revealed metastatic signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is rarely the initial clinical manifestation of malignancy. Given the similar features of several common obstetric complications, additional diagnostic measures may be necessary to refine the diagnosis in cases unresponsive to standard obstetric management.

AB - BACKGROUND: Microangiopathic disorders during pregnancy remain a diagnostic challenge because these conditions often imitate more common obstetric diseases. CASE: A 31-year-old multigravid woman delivered at term with a postpartum course complicated by laboratory indices consistent with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome. After clinical recovery, she was readmitted 2 weeks after delivery with presumptive pyelonephritis. Persistent hemolysis and worsening thrombocytopenia suggested a diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy, which did not respond to plasma exchange. Directed bone biopsy revealed metastatic signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is rarely the initial clinical manifestation of malignancy. Given the similar features of several common obstetric complications, additional diagnostic measures may be necessary to refine the diagnosis in cases unresponsive to standard obstetric management.

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Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia Due to Malignancy in Pregnancy

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