title: Partial splenectomy in a child with human immunodeficiency virus-related immune thrombocytopenia.
abstract: Immune thrombocytopenia (IT) is a frequently occurring disease in childhood and a well known complication of HIV infection. Splenectomy is a part of the treatment strategy for severe chronic IT. However, overwhelming infections after splenectomy have limited its use, especially in young children. A 7-year-old child with maternal-fetal HIV-1 infection and related thrombocytopenia underwent splenectomy after previous treatment failed to improve her platelet count. Approximately 75% of the spleen was removed. The postoperative period was uncomplicated, and the platelet count increased significantly to greater than 500,000/mm3. Ultrasonographic examination performed 3 months later showed a stable volume of the spleen stump (40 x 40 x 20 mm) with effective "vascularization." The platelet count 12 months after surgery showed a sustained increase greater than 150,000 cell/mm3. Subtotal splenectomy may be a safe and effective alternative for patients with HIV and immune thrombocytopenia.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital de l'Archet II, Nice, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Monpoux
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kurzenne
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sirvent
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cottalorda
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boutté
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013156:Splenectomy; D019562:Viral Load; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D019259:Lamivudine; D015215:Zidovudine