SMall red blood cells mimicking platelets

摘要

A 7-year-old girl affected by P-thalassemia minor was referred to us for the presence of wandering platelet counts. Platelet count was normal at the age of 2. At the age of 5, she presented with easy bruising and 30 X 10~9 platelets per L. Bleeding tendency disappeared spontaneously in a few weeks, and platelet count increased to 80 X 10~9 /L. Subsequently, platelet counts measured in different laboratories fluctuated unpredictably from 80 to 250 X 10~9/L. EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia was excluded, and platelet counting by microscopy in a Neubauer chamber and by an optical cell counter revealed that the patient had 85 X 10~9 platelets per L.