Inherited giant platelet disorders

Abstract

Giant platelet disorders (GPD) refer to rare, usually inherited states characterized by abnormally large platelets, thrombocytopenia and bleeding tendency of variable severity. This review summarizes major clinical and laboratory features of three GPDs (Bernard-Soulier syndrome, May-Hegglin anomaly and gray platelet syndrome). Differential diagnosis between immunological thrombocytopenia and GPDs is important. Although rare, giant platelet disorders should be borne in mind, since bleeding tendency in some individuals may be severe and knowledge of bleeding diathesis is of importance before delivery or surgical procedures also in less symptomatic individuals.