Secondary immune thrombocytopenia in a pediatric patient with viral coinfection – case report

Immune thrombocytopenia is a possible complication of viral illnesses in children, cytomegalovirus (CMV) being one of the most common causes. We describe the case of a 5-year-old boy who presented with mucocutaneous signs of bleeding (petechiae, ecchymoses, epistaxis), acute upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and a low platelet count (7000/microL). Positive IgM antibodies against CMV were detected along with a positive antigen test for res­pi­ratory syncytial virus, and the patient was started on a short course of intravenous corticosteroids, with a positive outcome.