4lulu

I also forgot to mention that she also tends to have a low hemoglobin as well, but all of her iron testing was normal. Our hematologist tested for another condition that can also cause destruction of red blood cells, but that was negative. The 2 often are found together...RBC and platelet destruction.

My dd10 has PANDAS and low platelet count, both diagnosed following strep in March of 2008. After the initial low platelet count (30,000) she was diagnosed with ITP which stands for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura. ITP is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks it's own platelets. It sometimes occurs in kids following a virus or bacterial infection, but typically resolves on it's own with no treatment within a couple of months. In our case it has not resolved and my dd10 has had counts fluctuating from 11,000-75,000. The only time she has had a normal count in the last 3 1/2 years was following ivig in 6/2010. But like all other tx for both ITP and PANDAS (so it seems) results were only temporary until the immune system is activated again. We have always been told that once you have 1 autoimmune condition you are at risk for more.

My PANDAS dd9 was definitely a case of strep hiding out in the adenoids only. She had only 1 positive throat culture, but elevated ASO (2000+ at it's highest). She was showing no signs/symptoms of sore throat/sinus infection, but during a routine follow up for one of my non-PANDAS children I mentioned our situation to the ENT and he recommend we x-ray her sinuses just to rule out a hidden sinus infection. We did and sinuses were clear, but adenoids were extremely enlarged. She had an adenoidectomy last June and despite being on prophylactic azithromycin for 9 months and full strength omnicef the month prior to surgery, her adenoids were still infected at the time they were removed! Following surgery she had a good 5-6 months with no PANDAS symptoms, then she had a slight blip when 2 members of the house had mycoplasma over Thanksgiving. Then things got worse again in February when she and both my other kids got strep. Unfortunately she hasn't fully recovered because one of my other kids just can't clear that infection...5 positive rapid strep tests in 5 months! Constant exposure in the house makes for a long recovery...thankfully my chronic infection kiddo is scheduled for tonsillectomy in July!

My daughter has an extensive history of petchiae and has been diagnosed with ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura) in addition to PANDAS. Her ITP was also triggered by a strep throat infection. ITP is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the platelets in the blood. The platelet count can be determined with a CBC, but an actual dx of ITP is done by ruling out other things...can be associated with immune deficiencies or other autoimmune conditions such as Lupus, RA, or Thyroid problems. Her petechiae are usually all over her body though and she has a lot of bruising too. We see petichae pretty much everytime her immune system is activated...whether that be because she is sick or even just to exposure at school or from her siblings. Don't know if that helps, but probably a CBC is a good start just to make sure the platelet count is not decreased.