Megan Garlapow, PhD

All articles by Megan Garlapow, PhD

• Case report shows potential link between FNAIT and preeclampsia

  A case report suggested that in some cases, preeclampsia may not be a separate condition but a consequence of FNAIT.

• Lower platelets may worsen breathing risks in premature infants

  Premature infants with low platelets, often tied to FNAIT, experienced longer hospital stays and more severe breathing problems.

• Early diagnosis and treatment improve survival in FNAIT

  Faster diagnosis and modern treatment strategies now give most babies with FNAIT a much better chance of survival and recovery.

• Clinical trial to test nipocalimab vs IVIG to prevent FNAIT

  A new trial is testing whether nipocalimab can lower the risk of severe bleeding and death in babies at risk of FNAIT.

• Stronger communication with staff may ease stress for NICU families

  Stronger communication with staff can ease stress, improve trust and help parents feel more involved in their child’s care.

• Healthcare workers advise reducing harmful noise in neonatal units

  Of the staff surveyed, 92% said noise harms infants, while 76% linked it to errors in care caused by distracted or overwhelmed clinicians.

• Antibodies target platelets more than blood vessel cells in FNAIT

  In mothers with FNAIT, antibodies attach much more strongly to platelet proteins than to proteins on blood vessel cells.

• Specialized MRI could improve care for newborns with brain bleeds

  A specialized form of MRI can help explain why cerebrospinal fluid builds up in newborns with brain bleeds, such as those seen in FNAIT.

• First baby born in global trial studying drug to prevent fetal bleeding

  The FREESIA-1 trial is testing a drug that could stop fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia before it starts.

• Next-gen sequencing may help track platelet transfusion success

  A new next-generation sequencing method allows advanced tracking of transfused platelets in FNAIT, regardless of ethnicity or multiple transfusions.