Ulcerative Colitis and Acute Thrombocytopenia in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

We report the case of a 14-year-old boy affected by ulcerative colitis (UC) and acute thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with simultaneous onset. UC diagnosis was based on symptoms, endoscopy and histology findings. ITP diagnosis was based on the normal bone marrow megakaryocyte count, the presence of platelet associated IgG and the absence of splenomegaly. Medical treatments including high doses of steroids, intravenous immunoglobulins were ineffective on ITP course, while UC course was mild for several months after the onset. When colonic inflammation became untractable not responsive at steroids and immunosuppressive agents, colectomy resolved both pathologies.