title: Immune thrombocytopenia in severe hemophilia A treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin.
abstract: Five patients with severe hemophilia A receiving long-term treatment with commercial factor VIII concentrates developed severe immune thrombocytopenia (ITP, platelet counts less than 20 X 10(9)/l). Concomitantly, they presented with a marked elevation of serum IgG concentrations (mean, 2364 mg/dl;range, 1712-2954 mg/dl). In four patients, the T helper to suppressor cell ratio was below 1. Treatment with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IgG, 7s) at doses of 0.2g (n = 2) or 0.4g (n = 3) per kg of body weight on 5 consecutive days was effective immediately. The bleeding tendency ceased and platelet counts rose transiently. In three cases, treatment was repeatedly effective and patients underwent uneventful splenectomies. Thus, high-dose IgG therapy may serve as a life-saving agent in patients with severe hemophilia complicated by ITP.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panzer
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zeitelhuber
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hach
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Brackmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niessner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mueller-Eckhardt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D005169:Factor VIII