Fatal outcome of spontaneous cerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage in a child with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)--case report.

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the most prevalent acquired hemorrhagic diathesis in children characterised by antibody-mediated destruction of platelets. ITP is generally a self-limiting benign disorder but despite this good prognosis, ITP carries the risk of severe bleeding (mainly intracranial) that may threaten the child's life.

CASE REPORT: We describe a case of a 5-year-old girl with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in the course of EBV infection with massive cerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage and fatal outcome.

CONCLUSION

This extremely rare case of intracranial haemorrhage in a child with ITP coexisting with EBV infection (a likely additional risk factor for hemorrhage) deserves attention considering the fatal outcome despite intensive treatment.