Fatal outcome of acute thrombocytopenic purpura associated with a viral infection in an 11-year-old child

Summary

A case of fatal intracranial hemorrhage is reported in an eleven year old girl with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura following a viral infection. The patient was randomized to the IgG-arm of the ITP therapy study. Immunoglobulin administration was not followed by a raise of the thrombocyte count. Neither the IgG therapy nor intensive therapeutic measurements were able to prevent the fatal course of cerebral hemorrhage in this case. Pathological and immunological findings indicate that our patient suffered from a fulminant ITP which must be considered as a part of a still active viral disease.