Introduction
The primary manifestation of the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is thrombosis, which forms the core of the classification criteria for this syndrome. However, multiple other noncriteria manifestations have been attributed to APS, some of which do not appear to have thrombosis as part of the pathophysiology, although they may be mediated by autoantibodies. Examples of these manifestations include neuropathy, thrombocytopenia, and cardiac valvular disease. Of importance, these manifestations of APS may not respond well to anticoagulation, and therefore additional therapies are needed.
Objectives
To describe a case report of a 12-years old boy with severe isolated thrombocytopenia that was diagnosed as antiphospholipid syndrome after an extended diagnostic work-up.
Methods
Case report and review of the literature.
Results
We had a case of a 12-years old boy with severe isolated thrombocytopenia (as low as 20.000/mm3) that was investigated for hematological diseases and previously treated for a year for chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura without resolution with steroids. After an evaluation by a rheumatologist, persistent high titers of IgM anticardiolipin, IgM anti-β2 glycoprotein, and positive lupus anticoagulant were found.
A diagnosis of thrombocytopenia as an isolated manifestation related to antiphospholipid-syndrome was made. There were no other remarkable symptoms, clinical findings, laboratory tests or family history.
He presented a good initial response to corticosteroids, but platelets decreased rapidly with dose reduction. He did not show a good response to hydroxychloroquine. Treatment with IVIg was started with very good response, but platelet rapidly dropped to very low levels three weeks after each infusion and no changes in antibody titers were noted after six infusions. Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) was started and platelets increased rapidly a month after infusion. After 10-months of a single dose of rituximab, platelets are still high (300.000/mm3), anticardiolipin IgM and anti-β2 glycoprotein IgM titers are lower than before. Immunoglobulin levels are still in the normal range and CD19 and CD20 are low. Currently, he is on hydroxychloroquine and aspirin.
Conclusion
Despite causing no substantial change in aPL profiles, rituximab may be effective in controlling thrombocytopenia in antiphospholipid syndrome.
Disclosure of interest
None declared.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
This article is published under an open access license. Please check the 'Copyright Information' section either on this page or in the PDF for details of this license and what re-use is permitted. If your intended use exceeds what is permitted by the license or if you are unable to locate the licence and re-use information, please contact the Rights and Permissions team.
About this article
Cite this article
Campos, L., Sztajnbok, F. PReS-FINAL-2296: Thrombocytopenia as a unique manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome: a case report in the pediatric age. Pediatr Rheumatol 11 (Suppl 2), P286 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1546-0096-11-S2-P286
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1546-0096-11-S2-P286