Plasma therapy in von Willebrand factor protease deficiency

Pediatr Nephrol. 2002 Oct;17(10):867-70. doi: 10.1007/s00467-002-0944-9. Epub 2002 Aug 16.

Abstract

We report a patient with relapsing hereditary hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that began in the neonatal period with life-threatening jaundice and hemolytic anemia. He progressed to end-stage renal failure at 14 years of age and had a cerebrovascular accident while on dialysis. The cause of HUS was a constitutional deficiency in the von Willebrand factor cleaving protease. Hematological features of HUS significantly improved following bilateral nephrectomy. After renal transplantation, he had an early recurrence of HUS associated with two episodes of retinal and cerebral ischemia. Long-term treatment with fresh-frozen plasma exchanges prevented recurrence of HUS, cerebrovascular attacks, and early loss of the graft.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / etiology
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / prevention & control
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / complications
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / genetics
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / surgery
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / etiology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / surgery
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Male
  • Nephrectomy
  • Plasma Exchange*
  • Plasma*
  • Platelet Count
  • Recurrence
  • von Willebrand Factor / genetics*
  • von Willebrand Factor / physiology

Substances

  • von Willebrand Factor