G-CSF-induced severe thrombocytopenia in a healthy donor: A rare case report

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is most frequently used in healthy donors to mobilize progenitor cells into the peripheral blood for collection. While mild thrombocytopenia is common in allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant donors after G-CSF mobilization, serious thrombocytopenia is rarely reported. Herein, we report a case of severe thrombocytopenia caused by G-CSF in a 14-year-old healthy donor and review the relevant literature. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of severe thrombocytopenia caused by G-CSF in a healthy adolescent donor.

A 14-year-old sister of a girl with T lymphocyte leukemia was selected as a matched donor for transplantation. The donor was healthy with normal blood parameters.

The donor received 10 μg/kg/day G-CSF via subcutaneous injection. On day 4 of G-CSF administration, blood tests before stem cell collection indicated that platelets dropped to 51 g/L. Abdominal ultrasound showed that the spleen was mildly enlarged.

In order to prevent blood loss and other effects caused by a too low platelet count after collection, the donor's peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells were collected after platelet transfusion.

Checkups for 1 year after G-CSF administration showed normal blood parameters.

Due to the rare risk of severe thrombocytopenia in G-CSF mobilization, it is necessary to routinely monitor blood parameters during mobilization to ensure smooth progress of the transplantation process.