Bernard-Soulier Syndrome from the Perspective of the Obstetrician: A Case Report with a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Objective Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) is one of the rare inherited platelet disorders that is characterized by macrothrombocytopenia and adhesion abnormality due to the absence or malfunctioning of the membrane GPIb-IX-V complex. There is no high-quality evidence on obstetric management of BSS owing to its rarity. Here we report an uncomplicated delivery of an adolescent with BSS and review the literature on the topic of BSS and pregnancy.

Methods PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and Google Scholar databases were searched up to April 2022 without language and year restriction using the terms “Bernard Soulier” and “Pregnancy”. The primary objectives were to evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes. The secondary objectives were to analyze pregnancy complications, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, administered prophylaxis, treatment approaches, duration of postpartum hospitalization, and the postpartum requirement of blood and blood product.

Results The patient was a 19-year-old and 39-week pregnant woman who was diagnosed with BSS at the age of 10 by flow cytometry and genetic analysis. Single donor platelet transfusions and oral tranexamic acid were administered as prophylaxis at the peripartum period. She was delivered by cesarean section due to failure of labor. The postpartum period was uneventful for both mother and neonate. In the literature review, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) was found in 52.9% (27/51) of deliveries. Late PPH occurred more frequently than early PPH (35.3 and 31.4%, respectively). 49% (25/51) of pregnancies had severe thrombocytopenia, and antepartum hemorrhage was observed in 11.8% (6/51) of those. The platelet count was in close relation to antenatal complications. 64.7% (33/51) of the patients were delivered via cesarean section. PPH and late PPH were found to be more common in those who delivered vaginally compared to those who delivered by caesarean section. It was observed that PPH was less common in women who were given prophylaxis in the peripartum period.

Conclusion BSS is an inherited macro-thrombocytopathy that may cause adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The optimal mode and timing of delivery remain unclear. A multidisciplinary approach with prophylaxis at the peripartum period should be applied.

Key words

bernard soulier syndrome - management - postpartum hemorrhage - pregnancy - prophylaxis

Publication History

Received: 02 August 2022

Accepted after revision: 17 January 2023

Article published online:
08 March 2023

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