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Haemorrhagic diphtheria
P V Havaldar1, V D Patil, B M Siddibhavi
1Department of Paediatrics, District Hospital, Belgaum, Karnatak State, India.
Annals of Tropical Paediatrics
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Diphtheria can cause severe bleeding and a leukaemoid blood reaction in children. This rare presentation, potentially linked to toxic vasculitis, tragically resulted in fatalities despite medical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can lead to severe complications.
- Respiratory diphtheria, in particular, poses significant risks to affected individuals.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases of extensive respiratory diphtheria presented with unusual hemorrhagic manifestations.
- Both children exhibited a leukaemoid blood picture, characterized by prolonged bleeding time and a normal platelet count.
- One child also developed ventricular tachycardia, indicating severe cardiac involvement.
Findings:
- The observed hemorrhagic symptoms suggest a potential link to toxic vasculitis, a condition affecting blood vessels.
- The leukaemoid blood picture and prolonged bleeding time are critical hematological findings in these severe diphtheria cases.
- Despite intensive care, both children succumbed to the illness, highlighting the extreme severity and poor prognosis.
Implications:
- This case series underscores the importance of recognizing rare and severe presentations of diphtheria in pediatric patients.
- The proposed mechanism of toxic vasculitis warrants further investigation in understanding diphtheria-associated bleeding disorders.
- Early recognition and aggressive management strategies are crucial, though outcomes remain grave in such advanced cases.