Inherited thrombocytopenia, elevated serum IgA and renal disease: identification as a variant of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

A kindred with X-linked hereditary thrombocytopenia in association with elevated serum IgA and a mild nephropathy is described. Thirteen males with thrombocytopenia were identified in three generations amongst 49 family members who were available for screening. Serious infective sequelae were absent but five patients had suffered from severe eczema since infancy. The platelet volume as measured by an automated counter and electron microscopy was reduced compared with normal and in vitro tests demonstrated minor abnormalities of immune function in three patients. The disorder is identified as a novel variant of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and comparisons are made with previously described kindreds showing different patterns of expression.