Pseudothrombocytopenia induced by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Pseudothrombocytopenia induced by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is a rare phenomenon caused by autoantibodies against platelet membrane with overall prevalence of 0.1% in the general population. This phenomenon is an in vitro artifact and with different anticoagulant used, the patient had the physiological platelet count. Case report: This case is a report of a 2-year-old patient, whose initial complete blood count analysis revealed low platelet count (18 x 10 9 /L) without any visible signs of hemorrhage. After detecting multiple platelet clumps in the peripheral blood smear, the complete blood count was repeated using 3.2% sodium-citrate. The analysis of the new specimen revealed the physiological platelet count. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with pseudothrombocytopenia induced by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Conclusion: Pseudothrombocytopenia induced by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid should always be suspected whenever thrombocytopenia without bleeding tendency is presented. The peripheral blood smear examination is the most convenient and the cheapest diagnostic test for excluding this artifact.