In gestational thrombocytopenia, what is a potential fetal/neonatal complication?

• A. Neonatal anemia
• B. Neonatal thrombocytopenia
• C. Neonatal meningitis
• D. Neonatal seizures

Answer: (B)

Gestational thrombocytopenia is typically a mild, benign drop in maternal platelets during pregnancy, often without fetal harm. However, a possible fetal/neonatal complication is neonatal thrombocytopenia. This means the newborn can have a low platelet count at birth, which may carry a bleeding risk and requires observation and, if needed, platelet monitoring. The other options—neonatal anemia, meningitis, or seizures—aren’t directly caused by gestational thrombocytopenia and are not characteristic fetal-neonatal complications of this condition.