Cesarean Delivery in a Woman with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia: A 2026 Case Report

A case report describes the management of a cesarean delivery in a 33-year-old woman with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT). The patient experienced bleeding complications during pregnancy and after childbirth but recovered following coordinated medical treatment.

The report illustrates how pregnancy and cesarean delivery can be managed in someone with GT through individualized planning, multiple bleeding-control methods, and continued monitoring after delivery. However, because the findings involve only one patient, they cannot establish which treatments were most effective or predict outcomes for other pregnancies.

Pregnancy and Glanzmann Thrombasthenia

Glanzmann Thrombasthenia is a rare inherited bleeding disorder in which platelets cannot properly stick together to form a stable platelet plug.

Pregnancy and childbirth can present additional challenges because of the potential for significant bleeding during delivery and the postpartum period.

The patient described in this report was diagnosed with GT at age nine. She had previously experienced heavy menstrual bleeding requiring hospitalization.

During pregnancy, she developed blood in her urine (hematuria), anemia, and swelling of both kidneys caused by impaired urine drainage. She required hospital care and red blood cell transfusions.

At 37 weeks, doctors attempted to induce labor. However, unsuccessful induction and concerns about the baby’s condition led to a cesarean delivery under general anesthesia.

How Doctors Managed Bleeding During Delivery

The medical team used several treatments and surgical techniques to reduce bleeding risks.

• Platelet transfusion: The team administered one unit of apheresis platelets before surgery.
• Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa): The team administered three doses after delivery to help control bleeding.
• Tranexamic acid: Given during surgery and continued afterward to help prevent blood clots from breaking down too quickly.
• Uterine artery ligation: Surgeons tied off branches of both uterine arteries to reduce blood flow and help prevent severe bleeding.
• Ankaferd Blood Stopper: Surgeons applied a topical, plant-derived product to bleeding areas during surgery.

The patient also received medications to encourage uterine contractions, an important part of preventing excessive bleeding after childbirth.

Estimated blood loss during the procedure was approximately 1,200 milliliters.

The patient delivered a female infant weighing 2,100 grams. The newborn’s platelet count was within the normal range.

For explanations of medical terminology used in GT treatment, visit the GRF Glossary.

What Is Ankaferd Blood Stopper?

Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) is a topical bleeding-control product made from a standardized mixture of five plant extracts.

Unlike treatments that work primarily through conventional clotting pathways, Ankaferd is proposed to help form a protein network that supports red blood cell aggregation at the bleeding site.

This mechanism has attracted research interest in situations involving impaired blood clotting or platelet function.

In this case, doctors applied Ankaferd to the uterus and surrounding tissues during surgery. They also used it later to help manage bleeding beneath the surgical incision.

Importantly, the study does not establish that Ankaferd independently improved the patient’s outcome.

The researchers acknowledged that multiple treatments were administered together, making it impossible to determine Ankaferd’s individual contribution or that of any other intervention.

Additional research is needed to establish its effectiveness and safety in patients with GT.

Postpartum Bleeding and Recovery

Although the cesarean delivery was completed without life-threatening complications, the patient’s recovery included a delayed bleeding episode.

On postoperative day 12, she returned to the hospital with bleeding beneath her surgical incision.

Doctors evacuated approximately 150 milliliters of accumulated blood, treated the affected area, and administered two units of packed red blood cells.

The patient subsequently recovered and was discharged after further observation and treatment.

At her six-month follow-up, her surgical incision had healed, and pelvic ultrasound findings were normal.

This complication demonstrates why monitoring remains important after delivery, even when the initial procedure appears successful.

What Does This Case Mean for Women with GT?

The report shows how a medical team approached a high-risk delivery involving Glanzmann Thrombasthenia.

Several observations are relevant:

• Individualized planning matters. Treatment decisions should account for a patient’s bleeding history, clinical condition, and available medical resources.
• Multiple approaches may be necessary. Clinicians may use medications, blood products, and surgical techniques together.
• Postpartum monitoring is important. Bleeding complications can develop after the initial hospital stay.
• One successful case does not establish a standard treatment. Larger studies are needed to compare approaches and evaluate outcomes.

The authors also reported that the patient did not undergo anti-HLA or anti-αIIbβ3 antibody screening. This is a relevant limitation because platelet antibodies can influence treatment planning in GT.

For additional information about GT and available educational materials, explore the GRF Resources and Research section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can women with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia have a cesarean delivery?

Yes. This case documents a cesarean delivery in a woman with GT. However, delivery carries significant bleeding risks, and decisions should be made with a medical team experienced in inherited bleeding disorders.

Can bleeding occur after childbirth in women with GT?

Yes. Bleeding complications can occur after delivery. In this case, the patient developed a hematoma beneath her surgical incision 12 days after surgery and required additional treatment.

Does this study prove Ankaferd Blood Stopper works for GT?

No. Ankaferd was one component of a broader bleeding-management strategy. Because the researchers used several treatments simultaneously, they could not determine whether Ankaferd contributed independently to the outcome.

Study Limitations and Research Transparency

This publication is a single-patient case report, not a clinical trial. It describes one medical experience but cannot establish treatment effectiveness, compare alternative approaches, or determine the frequency of complications.

The authors reported no financial support and declared no conflicts of interest. No pharmaceutical sponsorship was disclosed.

Glanzmann’s Research Foundation provides this article for educational purposes. It is not medical advice or an endorsement of any treatment or product. Discuss pregnancy and delivery planning with qualified healthcare professionals experienced in GT.