M B Salzman1, E M Smith. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center, CA 90034, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe the use of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) in an 8-year-old girl with phenytoin-induced thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An 8-year-old girl had fever, rash, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia 18 days after initiation of phenytoin therapy. The phenytoin level was elevated. She was treated with 1 g/kg of IVIG. RESULTS: The thrombocytopenia improved dramatically after IVIG therapy. There was a slower response to the leukopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Phenytoin hypersensitivity can present with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Treatment with IVIG was associated with a rapid rise in the platelet count in the patient in this report. IVIG should be considered for patients with phenytoin-induced thrombocytopenia.
PURPOSE: To describe the use of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) in an 8-year-old girl with phenytoin-induced thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An 8-year-old girl had fever, rash, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia 18 days after initiation of phenytoin therapy. The phenytoin level was elevated. She was treated with 1 g/kg of IVIG. RESULTS: The thrombocytopenia improved dramatically after IVIG therapy. There was a slower response to the leukopenia. CONCLUSIONS:Phenytoinhypersensitivity can present with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Treatment with IVIG was associated with a rapid rise in the platelet count in the patient in this report. IVIG should be considered for patients with phenytoin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Authors: Albert M Li; Edmund As Nelson; Ellis K L Hon; Frankie W T Cheng; Dorothy F Y Chan; Ngai Chuen Sin; Kwok Chiu Ma; Kam Lau Cheung; Tai Fai Fok Journal: J Paediatr Child Health Date: 2005-04 Impact factor: 1.954