Children born with fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) may face a higher risk of certain mental, emotional, behavioral and developmental disorders later in childhood, according to a new study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s Pregnancy Meeting.
While doctors understand the immediate risks associated with FNAIT, its potential longer-term effects on a child’s brain development aren’t as clear. To better understand those risks, researchers analyzed data from more than 280,000 pregnancies delivered at Kaiser Permanente Southern California at 20 weeks’ gestation or later between 2011 and 2021.
Using validated diagnostic codes, they identified 2,755 FNAIT cases and tracked diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and disruptive behavior disorders.
Learn more about FNAIT prognosis
More than half (52%) of infants with FNAIT were born preterm, compared with 22% of those without the condition. Over time, 24% of children with FNAIT were diagnosed with at least one of the studied mental or behavioral conditions, compared with 15% of children without FNAIT.
After adjusting for potential confounding factors, FNAIT was associated with a more than twofold increased risk of ASD. It was also linked to a 23% increased risk of both ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders. No significant associations were seen for generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder.
The strength of these associations differed by sex. Among boys, FNAIT was significantly associated with ASD and ADHD, while girls with the condition were more likely to develop ASD and disruptive behavior disorders.
The authors conclude that children with FNAIT appear to have a higher burden of certain neurodevelopmental conditions. They suggest that closer developmental monitoring and earlier intervention strategies may help improve long-term outcomes.
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives and information about FNAIT sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.
