An acute leukaemia masquerading as Immune Thrombocytopaenic Purpura (ITP)? A case report

Abstract

This is a case report of a 35 year old female with diagnosed Immune Thrombocytopaenic Purpura (ITP) that was strangely followed by acute myeloid leukaemia at 10 months post diagnosis of ITP. She was managed as ITP using prednisolone 45 mg daily for 10 months with good response. She also synchronously carried a pregnancy to term and safe delivery. Shortly after delivery, she represented with gingival bleeding and peripheral film review and subsequent bone marrow cytology was in keeping with AML-M4 subtype. She died shortly after diagnosis without being able to receive chemotherapy.