Eight patients with acute and chronic alcoholism and liver disease, who suffered one or more episodes of acute thrombocytopenic purpura after heavy alcoholic intake, are described. Recovery was rapid after withdrawal from alcohol, and the use of corticosteroids did not appear to alter their course. Folic acid deficiency, splenic pooling of platelets, and massive hemorrhage do not appear to be causal factors. The possible role of excessive coagulation and a direct effect of alcohol on the bone marrow or circulating platelet are discussed.
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Robert M. Post (1968) studied this question.