Management of severe refractory thrombocytopenia in dengue hemorrhagic fever with intravenous anti-D immune globulin

Abstract

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a potentially lethal complication of dengue fever due to shock and/or bleeding. Bleeding in DHF is due to thrombocytopenia and/or coagulopathy. The authors present their experience of usage of intravenous anti-D in 5 children with DHF and severe refractory thrombocytopenia (<10,000/mm(3)). It was administered in a dose of 50 to 75 μg/kg. Mean platelet count was 6800/mm(3) before and 33,600, 44,600, and 79,000/mm(3) after intravenous anti-D administration at 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. Average drop in hemoglobin after administration of anti-D was 2.28 g/dL. Intravenous anti-D can possibly be a treatment option for refractory thrombocytopenia in DHF.