Stroke in a young adult receiving intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Abstract

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is increasingly being used in wide variety of auto-immune and inflammatory disorders. FDA has approved the use of IVIG in primary and secondary immune-deficiencies like Chronic Lymphoid leukemia, HIV infection, prevention of GVHD in bone marrow transplantation, ITP, Polymyositis and Kawasaki's disease, pemphigus vulgaris and Guillain barre syndrome and many other disorders.(1). Although they are generally considered safe however, thrombotic complications are being recognized more often in recent years including arterial and venous thrombosis after being used in wide range and extended spectrum of disorders, (2). We report a case of thrombotic stroke in a young adult patient who received IVIG for acute ITP and had no underlying risk factors for development of stroke.

Keywords

• Intravenous immunoglobulin
• stroke
• thrombosis