Patients with amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (AT) characteristically have thrombocytopenia as well as megakaryocytopenia; the latter may not be apparent until a year after birth [1]. They may have bleeding diatheses. Other physical abnormalities are not typical of AT, although a renal failure, hearing and visual loss, mental retardation, cardiac malformations and psychomotor retardation have been reported in some cases [2].

The congenital form of AT is often seen and diagnosed at birth or soon after. During the first week of life, the platelet count may fluctuate between low and normal values. These patients may have a positive family history of the condition, dysmorphic platelets, and thrombocytopenia that is resistant to standard treatment. Congenital AT (CAT) is inherited through various possible mutations in the myeloproliferative leukemia virus (MPL) oncogene, which is responsible for platelet production, giving rise to a range of phenotypic expressions. The mutation may cause a decrease or complete arrest in the production of platelets from hematopoietic stem cells. There are two types of CAT, of which type I is more severe in clinical course, and additional hematological pathologies ensue during infancy [3]. Affected individuals may report with pancytopenia. CAT type II cases rarely suffer from such rapid progression to pancytopenia. Moreover, they have intermittent episodes of less pronounced thrombocytopenia. Eventually, both types lead to bone marrow failure (this occurs earlier in type I).

Hematological pathologies that AT may eventually induce are exemplified by leukemia and aplastic anemia. Patients remain thrombocytopenic for years.

Bleeding may occur in the skin in form of petechiae and purpura. More serious hemorrhage has been described in the literature, taking place in the gastrointestinal tract, such as bleeding per rectum [2]. Intracranial and lung involvement is also documented.

AT can be acquired, and the symptoms are similar to those of the congenital type. Remission is possible, and association with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and hematologic diseases has been reported [4] [5]. It is thought to be caused by both humoral and cell-mediated immune dysfunction, although the exact process is unknown [6] [7].

• Precocious Puberty

  Cell surface receptor deficiencies G protein-coupled receptor (including hormone ) Class A TSHR ( Congenital hypothyroidism 1 ) LHCGR ( Luteinizing hormone insensitivity, Leydig cell hypoplasia, Male-limited precocious puberty ) FSHR ( Follicle-stimulating [wikiwand.com]

• Severe Clinical Course

  Here we present a girl with severe clinical course of CAMT II having a missense mutation in exon 4 of the c-MPL gene who was admitted to our hospital with intracranial hemorrhage during the newborn period. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Psychomotor Retardation

  Other physical abnormalities are not typical of AT, although a renal failure, hearing and visual loss, mental retardation, cardiac malformations and psychomotor retardation have been reported in some cases. [symptoma.com]

Certain molecular tests are conducted to diagnose AT. Samples taken from bone marrow aspiration show hypoplasia as well as the absence of Mpl messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the cells, this is indicative of AT [8]. Full blood count and serum thrombopoietin (TPO) measurements may reveal thrombocytopenia or pancytopenia, as well as high TPO titers [9]. There may be other signs of dysfunction in the thrombopoietin pathway.

Further studies that can prove useful are - fluorescent in-situ hybridization, skin fibroblast culture, and gene and chromosome analysis [10].

A platelet count of less than 50x109/L supports the diagnosis of AT.

In addition to depleted megakaryocytes in bone marrow, the presence of anti-thrombopoietin immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies is consistent with the diagnosis of acquired AT [6] [7].

The clinical bleeding tendency resolved after treatment for 4 weeks and complete remission was documented after 6 weeks. Azathioprine treatment for AAMT is low risk, convenient, and cost-effective. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Treatment & Care Long-term Outlook With supportive therapy alone, the progression to bone marrow failure usually occurs in a child’s first decade of life. [danafarberbostonchildrens.org]

Treatment Initial treatment is directed at stopping or preventing bleeding with platelet transfusions. [verywell.com]

Diagnosis - Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia Prognosis - Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia The long-term outlook (prognosis) for people with acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia varies based on the underlying cause. [checkorphan.org]

Prognosis Prognosis is poor and with supportive therapy, progression to full marrow failure (tri-linear marrow aplasia) occurs during the first years of life. 30% of patients with CAMT die due to bleeding complications before the HSCT and 20% due to the [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]

The prognosis of this heritable disorder is poor and bone marrow transplantation is the only effective treatment. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] decreased marrow megakaryocytes and high serum TPO levels Red cell macrocytosis with normal hemoglobin level Bone marrow initially normocellular Mucocutaneous or GI bleeding, variable physical abnormalities ( Br J Haematol 2005;131:636 ) Treatment and prognosis [pathologyoutlines.com]

Since it is a syndrome of diverse etiologies, the optimal treatment is often uncertain. In a patient with longstanding AATP, a complete remission was obtained with antithymocyte globulin. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Epidemiology The exact prevalence is unknown and less than 100 cases have been reported in the literature. In addition, the incidence may be underestimated due to difficult and inconsistent diagnosis of the disease. [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]

This review will summarize the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of CAMT. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Image courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology Thrombocytopenia Microchapters Home Patient Information Overview Historical Perspective Classification Pathophysiology [wikidoc.org]

Treatment for CAMT involves treating and preventing bleeding with platelet transfusion. In most cases, bone marrow or stem cell transplant is required for cure. [childrensmn.org]

How can Congenital Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia be Prevented? Currently, Congenital Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia may not be preventable, since it is a genetic disorder. [dovemed.com]

Treatment Initial treatment is directed at stopping or preventing bleeding with platelet transfusions. [verywell.com]

Symptoms - Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia Causes - Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia Prevention - Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia Not supplied. [checkorphan.org]

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