Polycythemia vera: a case report

Authors

  • Joana Macedo Pediatric Service of Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave
  • Emília Costa Pediatric Hematology Unit, Centro Hospitalar do Porto
  • José Barbot Pediatric Hematology Unit, Centro Hospitalar do Porto
  • Cláudia Neto Pediatric Service of Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v24.i2.8565

Keywords:

Adolescence, Polycythemia vera, Thrombosis, Thrombocytosis

Abstract

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative disturbance of haematopoietic cells characterized by abnormal and overstated production of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. Other disease features include splenomegaly, thrombohemorrhagic complications, vasomotor disturbances, pruritus and a small risk of disease progression into acute myeloid leukemia or myelofibrosis. Thrombosis is the presenting symptom in 20% of patients with PV. It is a rare disease with an incidence of 2.3/100.000 people per year, and is even more uncommon in children and adolescents. We present a case report of a fourteen-year-old years old adolescent with clinical and laboratorial findings suggestive of polycythemia vera. Treatment with alpha-interferon was initiated. Erythrocyte and platelet count are now in the normal range. The authors make, in the context of this case report, a brief review of the criteria for the differential diagnosis of reactive thrombocytosis and myeloproliferative diseases, manifestations and treatment options.

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Published

2015-06-15

How to Cite

1.
Macedo J, Costa E, Barbot J, Neto C. Polycythemia vera: a case report. REVNEC [Internet]. 2015Jun.15 [cited 2024Apr.18];24(2):83-7. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nascercrescer/article/view/8565

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 2 (2015)

Section

Case Reports

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