An Unrecognized Case of Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Associated With Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare autosomal-recessive platelet disorder caused by deficiency or dysfunction of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, resulting in defective aggregation and mucocutaneous bleeding. We report a 22-year-old Egyptian man presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding, severe anemia, and lifelong unexplained bleeding. Endoscopy revealed edematous gastropathy with postbiopsy bleeding exacerbation. Common coagulopathies were excluded and platelet aggregation tests showed absent responses to adenosine diphosphate, collagen, and arachidonic acid, confirming GT by flow cytometry. He was successfully treated with recombinant activated factor VII and tranexamic acid. This case underscores the importance of considering GT in patients with unexplained mucocutaneous bleeding and normal coagulation.