Acquired platelet dysfunction with eosinophilia (APDE)

Objective To study a series of cases of acquired
platelet dysfunction with eosinophilia (APDE).

Design A prospective study of cases of APDE
admitted to a paediatric unit from August 1994 to
December 2000.

Setting Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children,
Colombo.

Method Children with suspected APDE were
investigated and analysed. Investigations included
haemoglobin, white cell count, bleeding time,
clotting time, platelet count, prothrombin time, partial
thromboplastin time, ESR, peripheral blood film, clot
retraction, platelet aggregation test, stools full report,
filarial antibody test and toxocara antibody test. The
platelet aggregation test was repeated after 6 months.

Results There were 12 children with suspected
APDE. The male: female ratio was 1.4:1. The ages
ranged from 16 months to 10 years. Hess test was
negative in all children. The absolute eosinophil
count ranged from 1.9-7.8 x 109/l. The bleeding time
was prolonged in 58% cases. The platelet aggregation
test was abnormal in all cases. The filarial antibody
test was positive in 17% cases. All other
investigations were normal. The platelet aggregation
test normalised after 6 months in all cases.

Conclusion APDE is a not uncommon cause of nonthrombocytopenic purpura in Sri Lanka. It is a benign
condition with a mild, transient haemorrhagic
diathesis and spontaneous recovery occurs within 6
months.

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2002; 31: 89-90

(Key words: Acquired platelet dysfunction, eosinophilia, APDE)

doi: 10.4038/sljch.v31i3.771