Thesis defense Thijs de Vos
Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: the proof of the pudding is in the eating
On 13 April 2023 (15:00 hrs) Thijs de Vos defended his thesis 'Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: the proof of the pudding is in the eating’ at Leiden University.
Promotores
Prof M de Haas MD PhD
Prof E Lopriore MD PhD
Copromotor
Jeanine van Klink MD PhD
News item (Dutch)
Venue
Academy Building, Leiden University, and online
Summary
Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a rare but potentially life threatening disease that can lead to intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in babies during fetal development and the neonatal period. ICH is associated with perinatal mortality and can lead to long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. If pregnancies at risk for FNAIT are identified upon antenatal screening, timely intervention could prevent the occurrence of fetal ICH. Implementation of population-based screening to prevent FNAIT is hampered by the lack of knowledge on the natural history, whom to treat and costs of case finding. We performed a large nationwide screening study and provide new evidence on the incidence of FNAIT. In addition, we confirm the value of risk factors for immunisation and severe disease. We describe current postnatal treatment strategies and the long-term outcome of cases that were affected by FNAIT. Based on these studies, we conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the situation with antenatal screening to the current situation without screening. In the general discussion, we evaluate the knowledge gained in this thesis and in the available literature guided by the principles from Wilson and Junger. We conclude that knowledge is available to all principles and nationwide screening for FNAIT during pregnancy seems warranted.
