BACKGROUND
Drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP), which also includes
thrombocytopenia induced by beverages, foods, and herbal remedies, is
an important clinical problem for haematologists. Drug-induced
thrombocytopenia is often misdiagnosed as immune thrombocytopenic
purpura with resulting inappropriate treatment. Immune thrombocytopenic
purpura (ITP) is a clinical disorder that leads to easy bruising (purpura),
excessive bleeding or extravasation of blood from capillaries into skin and
mucous membranes (petechiae). The bleeding tendency is due to decreased
number of circulating platelets (thrombocytopenia). There is production of
antibodies against the platelets by the patient’s immune system. This case
report was conducted to introduce the effectiveness of freshly donated
blood and steroids on patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura
(ITP) after ingestion of herbal drugs.
CASE DESCRIPTION
DT was a 30-year old female who presented with bleeding per vagina, gum
bleeding and weakness. The patient did not have any systemic disease
that would cause any spontaneous hemorrhage. The patient was referred
to a hematologist urgently and her thrombocyte count was found to be
2000/?L. Other test results were in normal range. Full blood count revealed
severe thrombocytopenia. Freshly donated whole blood was given to the
patient and then the changes in her general condition were analyzed, as
well as the blood test results.
CONCLUSION
In the absence of platelet concentrate especially in rural settings and
resource-poor countries, freshly donated whole blood can be used in the
management of a case of severe thrombocytopenia from ITP