# A Rare Case of Pregnancy-Associated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Challenges in Diagnosis and Management

**Authors:** Fatemah Albousaeed, Anwar AlmohammedAli, Zainab Alowainati, Zainab Salman, Mohammed Alsubhi

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.83587 · Cureus · 2025-05-06

## TL;DR

A rare case of pregnancy-associated TTP is presented, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and plasma exchange treatment for maternal and fetal survival.

## Contribution

The paper contributes a detailed case report of pregnancy-associated TTP and underscores the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment.

## Key findings

- A 29-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed with TTP after excluding other pregnancy-related conditions.
- Plasma exchange treatment led to maternal improvement and a successful cesarean delivery.
- Early recognition and treatment of TTP in pregnancy are critical for favorable outcomes.

## Abstract

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in pregnancy is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that presents significant diagnostic challenges due to its overlapping features with other pregnancy-related disorders, such as preeclampsia and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome. We present the case of a 29-year-old gravida 2 para 1 woman at 35 weeks of gestation who presented with generalized weakness, nausea, and bruising, with laboratory findings indicating thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and schistocytes on peripheral blood smear. A diagnosis of pregnancy-associated TTP was made after excluding other causes such as preeclampsia. The patient was treated with plasma exchange, and her condition improved, leading to a successful cesarean section at 36 weeks of gestation. The neonatal outcome was favorable. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of TTP in pregnancy, as timely diagnosis and treatment with plasma exchange are critical for both maternal and fetal survival.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (MONDO:0018896), preeclampsia (MONDO:0005081), HELLP syndrome (MONDO:0008585)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** HELLP (MESH:D017359), microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MESH:D000743), TTP (MESH:D011697), preeclampsia (MESH:D011225), weakness (MESH:D018908), bruising (MESH:D003288), low platelet count (MESH:D009845), hemolysis (MESH:D006461), nausea (MESH:D009325), thrombocytopenia (MESH:D013921), syndrome (MESH:D013577), Pregnancy (MESH:D011254), pregnancy-related disorders (MESH:C535932)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## References

9 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12140395/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12140395