Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a rare condition in which a pregnant woman develops antibodies that attack the platelets of the fetus.
If FNAIT is not well-managed, it can lead to serious illness and even death, especially if bleeding occurs in the brain. This is why it’s so important that you choose a hospital that can provide you the care that you and your baby need.
What to consider when choosing a hospital
Before choosing an appropriate hospital for FNAIT, you need to first know whether you have or are at risk for this disorder. Since FNAIT is not typically tested for during pregnancy, it is usually only diagnosed when a newborn shows abnormal signs of bleeding, such as unexplained bruising.
If you’ve had a previous pregnancy affected by FNAIT and become pregnant again, doctors will monitor your current pregnancy more closely because the risk of FNAIT is higher if you were diagnosed with this disease in the past. Therefore, the first step you need to take is to ensure that you access prenatal care services during pregnancy so that a doctor knows that you are pregnant and can take the necessary precautions and make the necessary referrals for your condition.
Read more about FNAIT testing and diagnosis
If you have a choice of hospitals to go to, it is best to look for one with a neonatal intensive care unit, since your newborn child will almost certainly require close monitoring after birth. This is standard procedure, as it allows doctors to ensure your child is in good health before discharge. Because blood transfusions are a common way to deal with a low platelet count, it is also vital that the hospital has a blood bank that can supply the necessary blood products your baby could need.
You will also want to choose a hospital that has a multidisciplinary FNAIT care team, which simply means that doctors from different disciplines (such as OBGYNs and hematologists) work together to arrive at a shared decision on what’s best for you and your child.
Practically, it is worth taking into consideration how close your chosen hospital is to where you live. This is because emergencies may happen that require you to gain immediate access to a doctor. Distance to a nearest hospital is especially an important consideration if you live in a rural area.
If you’re affected by FNAIT, it is worth adopting the mindset of being an active participant in your own care. This means making the necessary preparations to optimize your care, such as looking for a hospital that can fully support your medical needs and that of your child. This can help you reduce your risk of complications before they begin.
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