Pediatric Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Differential Diagnoses

  • Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Harumi Jyonouchi, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 9, 2011
 
 

Diagnostic Considerations

Physicians must distinguish between infants with bleeding and thrombocytopenia and infants with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. The presence of small platelets with mean platelet value (MPV) less than 6 fL characterizes Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), whereas the other 2 disorders usually have large MPVs because of the young age of the platelets. However, the MPV is difficult to measure in the presence of profound thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 10,000/dL).

X-linked thrombocytopenia is a mild phenotype of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome with mutations in WASP that confer thrombocytopenia, possibly eczema, but no significant immunologic deficit. Sites for the WASP mutations in X-linked thrombocytopenia are somewhat different; thus, mutational analysis as well as clinical and laboratory data contribute to the final diagnosis of X-linked thrombocytopenia versus Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS). Differentiating this phenotype is important because stem cell reconstitution is not appropriate therapy for this clinically mild nonfatal disease.

The differential diagnosis of generalized eczema in infants includes Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, as well as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), Langerhans cell histiocytosis, seborrheic dermatitis, Omenn syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia (AT).

AT presents with symptoms of eczema and recurrent infections; however, in contrast to Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, patients with AT have decreased levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and, often, immunoglobulin E (IgE), and cerebellar ataxia is an early feature.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is sometimes confused with Bruton agammaglobulinemia (X-linked agammaglobulinemia [XLA]) when the infant presents with recurrent otitis media, and when quantitative immunoglobulin levels show low immunoglobulin G (IgG). Patients with XLA are unlikely to have bleeding related to thrombocytopenia. Typically, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is associated with low immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels and normal-to-high immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels, whereas all immunoglobulin levels are undetectable in XLA. T-cell and B-cell population patterns are also characteristically different (normal CD19+ B cells and high CD4:CD8 ratios in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome compared with absent CD19+ B cells and normal-to-elevated T cells in XLA).

X-linked hyperimmunoglobulin M (XHIM) syndrome may clinically resemble Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, although bleeding manifestations are absent. Laboratory study findings should distinguish between them. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is associated with low IgM, high IgA, and high immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels; XHIM has normal-to-high IgM, low IgA, and low IgE levels. The pattern of T-cell abnormalities also differs as follows: high CD4:CD8 because of low CD8 in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome compared with a normal ratio with lymphopenia in XHIM.

Other T-cell disorders occur early in infancy but without bleeding manifestations. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and other T-cell disorders share an increased incidence of dermatitis. X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) is usually clinically different because of the early presence of more significant opportunistic and viral infections. Fluorocytometric analysis of T-cell and B-cell populations is used to distinguish Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome from X-SCID and other forms of SCID, such as major histocompatibility (MHC) class II deficiency ("bare lymphocyte" syndrome).

See Table 1 in Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.

Differential Diagnoses

Proceed to Workup
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Robyn Siperstein, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School

Robyn Siperstein, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for MOHS Surgery, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James M Oleske, MD, MPH  François-Xavier Bagnoud Professor of Pediatrics, Director, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, New Jersey Medical School

James M Oleske, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Academy of Medicine of New Jersey, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of HIV Medicine, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, American Academy of Pain Management, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Pediatrics, American Association of Public Health Physicians, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Pain Society, American Public Health Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Thoracic Society, Arab Board of Family Medicine, Association of Clinical Researchers and Educators (ACRE), Infectious Diseases Society of America, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Infectious Diseases Society of New Jersey, Medical Society of New Jersey, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David J Valacer, MD  Consulting Staff, Hoffman La Roche Pharmaceuticals

David J Valacer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Thoracic Society, and New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David Pallares, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Louisville

David Pallares, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harumi Jyonouchi, MD  Associate Professor, Division of Pulmonary Allergy/Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School

Harumi Jyonouchi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Medical Association, Clinical Immunology Society, New York Academy of Sciences, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Society for Mucosal Immunology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Ann O'Neill Shigeoka, MD to the development and writing of this article.

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This 10-month-old infant presented with bloody diarrhea at age 4 months followed by recurrent otitis media infections. A maternal uncle had Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS). Note the mild malar eczema and pretibial ecchymoses in this nonambulatory child. His diagnosis was confirmed by immunologic parameters, thrombocytopenia, and low platelet volume.
This 1-year-old boy was hospitalized because of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis but was noted to have eczema and petechiae (note arrow). His history was significant for a subdural hematoma for which trauma was denied; at that time the platelet count was 212,000. His diagnosis of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) was confirmed by the detection of a missense mutation (Phe 128 Ser).
Table. Immune Globulin, Intravenous[29, 30, 31, 32]
Brand(Manufacturer)Manufacturing ProcesspHAdditives (IVIG products containing sucrose are more often associated with renal dysfunction, acute renal failure, and osmotic nephrosis, particularly with preexisting risk factors [eg, history of renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, age >65 y, dehydration, sepsis, paraproteinemia, nephrotoxic drugs].) Parenteral Form and Final ConcentrationsIgA Content mcg/mL
Carimune NF



(CSL Behring)



Kistler-Nitschmann fractionation; pH 4 incubation, nanofiltration6.4-6.86% solution: 10% sucrose, < 20 mg NaCl/g proteinLyophilized powder 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%Trace
Flebogamma



(Grifols USA)



Cohn-Oncley fractionation, PEG precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography, pasteurization5.1-6Sucrose free, contains 5% D-sorbitolLiquid 5%< 50
Gammagard Liquid 10%



(Baxter Bioscience)



Cohn-Oncley cold ethanol fractionation, cation and anion exchange chromatography, solvent detergent treated, nanofiltration, low pH incubation 4.6-5.10.25M glycineReady-for-use Liquid 10%37
Gamunex



(Talecris Biotherapeutics)



Cohn-Oncley fractionation, caprylate-chromatography purification, cloth and depth filtration, low pH incubation4-4.5Contains no sugar, contains glycineLiquid 10%46
Gammaplex



(Bio Products)



Solvent/detergent treatment targeted to enveloped viruses; virus filtration using Pall Ultipor to remove small viruses including nonenveloped viruses; low pH incubation 4.8-5.1Contains sorbitol (40 mg/mL); do not administer if fructose intolerantReady-for-use solution 5%< 10
Iveegam EN



(Baxter Bioscience)



Cohn-Oncley fraction II/III; ultrafiltration; pasteurization6.4-7.25% solution: 5% glucose, 0.3% NaClLyophilized powder 5%< 10
Polygam S/D



Gammagard S/D



(Baxter Bioscience for the American Red Cross)



Cohn-Oncley cold ethanol fractionation, followed by ultracentrafiltration and ion exchange chromatography; solvent detergent treated 6.4-7.25% solution: 0.3% albumin, 2.25% glycine, 2% glucoseLyophilized powder 5%, 10%< 1.6 (5% solution)
Octagam



(Octapharma USA)



9/24/10: Withdrawn from market because of unexplained reports of thromboembolic events



Cohn-Oncley fraction II/III; ultrafiltration; low pH incubation; S/D treatment pasteurization5.1-610% maltoseLiquid 5%200
Panglobulin



(Swiss Red Cross for the American Red Cross)



Kistler-Nitschmann fractionation; pH 4, trace pepsin, nanofiltration6.6Per gram of IgG: 1.67 g sucrose, < 20 mg NaClLyophilized powder 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%720
Privigen Liquid 10%



(CSL Behring)



Cold ethanol fractionation, octanoic acid fractionation, and anion exchange chromatography; pH 4 incubation and depth filtration4.6-5L-proline (~250 mmol/L) as stabilizer; trace sodium; does not contain carbohydrate stabilizers (eg, sucrose, maltose)Ready-for-use liquid 10%≤ 25
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