Post-partum acquired haemophilia after IVF without recurrence during a second pregnancy obtained by IVF

Acquired haemophilia A in the postpartum and risk of relapse in subsequent pregnancies: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

About 1%-5% of acquired haemophilia A cases affect mothers in the postpartum setting.

AIMS

This study delineates the characteristics of this disease, specific to the postpartum setting, notably relapse in subsequent pregnancies.

METHODS

Report of two cases and literature study (1946-2019), yielding 73 articles describing 174 cases (total 176 cases).

RESULTS

Patients were aged 29.9 years (17-41) and 69% primigravidae. Diagnosis was made at a median of 60 days after delivery (range 0-308). Bleeding types were obstetrical (43.4%), cutaneous (41.3%), and muscular (36.7%). In >90% of the cases, FVIII at diagnosis was <1% (range 0%-8%). FVIII inhibitor was documented in 75.4% cases (median titre of 20 BU/ml, range 1-621). Haemostatic treatment was necessary in 57.1% using fresh frozen plasma (16%), factor concentrate (27.6%) and/or bypassing agents (37.4%). Immunosuppressive treatment was administered in 90.8%, mostly steroids (85.3%), alone or combined with immunosuppressants (27%). Rituximab was used mostly as a second line treatment. Only 24 patients (13.6%) had documented subsequent pregnancies and 6 (22.2%) suffered haemophilia recurrence during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

This study allows better definition of: (1) clinical and laboratory characteristics of postpartum acquired haemophilia, (2) response to therapy, and (3) the risk of relapse for subsequent pregnancies.

Sequential thrombosis and bleeding in a woman with a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time

Simultaneous or sequential haemorrhage and thrombosis in the presence of a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is a rare occurrence: we describe the case a 37 year old lady who developed post-delivery deep vein thrombosis treated with low molecular heparin and warfarin followed a week later by extensive bruising over legs and forearms, a significant drop in haemoglobin and a very prolonged aPTT. Further tests revealed an acquired factor VIII inhibitor at 35 Bethesda Units. We discuss the clinical and laboratory implications and provide a literature review of simultaneous thrombophilia and haemophilia in the presence of a prolonged aPTT.

[Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy and acquired hemophilia A]

BACKGROUND

Acquired haemophilia A (AHA) is a rare and serious disease, and instances of association with skin diseases have been described. We report a case of postpartum AHA associated with atypical polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Following delivery of her second child, a 27-year-old woman developed a generalised pruritic erythematous papular and vesicular rash in plaques. The diagnosis of pemphigoid gestationis was ruled out on the basis of negative immunopathology results and a diagnosis of PEP was made. Lengthening of activated cephalin time was observed, without correction by addition of control plasma, and prothrombin time was normal. AHA was confirmed by the very low levels of factor VIII and the presence of antifactor VIII antibody. The patient was given intravenous activated recombinant factor VII for epistaxis and gingival bleeding, followed by an infusion of polyvalent immunoglobulins and systemic corticosteroids. Both diseases regressed within a few weeks.

DISCUSSION

This case is original in terms of the atypical presentation of AHA associated with severe PEP. AHA was associated with the presence of antifactor VIII Ab. Although the disease generally occurs alone, it has already been reported during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and in association with various forms of dermatosis, including bullous pemphigoid, although to our knowledge, never in association with PEP or pemphigoid gestationis. However, neither the underlying mechanisms of this association of PEP and AHA, which was probably not a chance occurrence, nor the risks of relapse of these conditions during subsequent pregnancies have been elucidated.