Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura complicated with biliary atresia: a rare occurrence and literature review

J Pediatr Surg. 2009 Jan;44(1):e21-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2008.09.034.

Abstract

The association of biliary atresia (BA) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is extremely rare, with only 2 cases being reported in the literature. This report describes the very rare case of a 1-year-old boy with BA complicated with ITP after cholangitis and the successful steroid treatment of ITP. We review the literature on this type of relationship between BA and ITP and discuss the clinical features of this complication. Furthermore, the possible cause of the onset of ITP complicated with BA was explored in this report.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biliary Atresia / complications*
  • Biliary Atresia / diagnosis
  • Biliary Atresia / surgery*
  • Cholangitis / complications
  • Cholangitis / diagnosis
  • Cholangitis / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / complications*
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / diagnosis
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone