Sibling allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in a patient with type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is a rare inherited bleeding disorder caused by either quantitative or qualitative abnormalities of the platelet membrane glycoprotein (Gp) IIb/IIIa complex. Bleeding is usually mucocutaneous in origin and may be of a severe nature. We report the use of allegeneic bone marrow transplantation in a 5-year-old child with homozygous type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, using the patient's younger brother as marrow donor. Engraftment was successful and has resulted in a resolution of bleeding episodes. We conclude that allogeneic BMT is a potentially curative option for those with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia associated with severe bleeding symptoms.