Splenomegaly, pancytopenia and pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

Elie M Hobeika; Ihab M Usta; Ali T Taher; Anwar H Nassar

doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2005.03.009

Splenomegaly, pancytopenia and pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

J Infect. 2005 Dec;51(5):e273-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2005.03.009.

Authors

Elie M Hobeika¹, Ihab M Usta, Ali T Taher, Anwar H Nassar

Affiliation

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, P.O. Box 113-6044, Beirut, Lebanon.

PMID: 15904963
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2005.03.009

Abstract

We present a 35-year-old previously healthy primigravida who presented at 26(4/7) weeks of gestation with pancytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly. She received 10 transfusions and delivered at 34(4/7) weeks of gestation by cesarean section. Two months later following splenectomy, she was diagnosed with malaria. Physicians should have a high index of suspicion for malaria in the context of splenomegaly and pancytopenia in pregnancy even in the absence of fever.

Publication types

Case Reports
Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
Blood Transfusion
Diagnostic Errors*
Female
Glucocorticoids / adverse effects
Hepatomegaly / etiology
Humans
Malaria, Falciparum / complications*
Malaria, Falciparum / diagnosis*
Ofloxacin / therapeutic use
Pancytopenia / etiology*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
Splenectomy
Splenomegaly / etiology*

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Glucocorticoids
Ofloxacin