Hoping someone can help me with a question regarding a complicated case.
Mom has ITP (idopathic thrombocytopenia) and during her pregnancy, her
platelets were very low.  Baby was born at 40 weeks, healthy male,
breastfeeding, doing well.  Baby had routine circumcision and was discharged
from hospital on day 2.(They are not from my hospital, so I'm not sure why a
cbc wasn't done on the baby initially.)  On day 5 of life, the circ started
bleeding, and baby was admitted to the hospital.  They did a cbc and his
platelet level was 6,000!  They are now transfusing him, and plan to keep
him in the hospital until his platelets are up to an acceptable level.

Baby is breastfeeding and doing well that way.  Drs have informed the mother
that while she was pregnant, the ITP affected the baby's platelets.  The
mother is now concerned that the ITP factors can cross over into her
breastmilk and "hurt" her baby more; in other words, continue to reduce his
platelet count.  I have looked this up, and can't seem to find anything
about whether ITP has any effect on breastmilk, but my initial gut reaction
is that it would not.  I would like to reassure this mom as soon as
possible, so if anyone has any knowledge in this area, it would be greatly
appreciated.  Dr. Jack, what do you think?  THANKS in advance!

Linda J. Tandy, MSN, RN, IBCLC
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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