Bernard-Soulier Syndrome Clinical Presentation

  • Author: John D Geil, MD; Chief Editor: Robert J Arceci, MD, PhD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 13, 2012
 

History

Symptoms of Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) are consistent with low or dysfunctional platelets and include easy bruising, nosebleeds, mucosal bleeding, menorrhagia, and, occasionally, GI bleeding. The severity of symptoms may widely vary.

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Physical

The physical examination findings are consistent with low or dysfunctional platelets and may include increased bruising and mucosal bleeding.

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Causes

Bernard-Soulier syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion; thus, males and females are affected with equal frequency. Heterozygotes usually have no bleeding manifestations.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

John D Geil, MD  Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Kentucky Children's Hospital

John D Geil, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Society for Neuro-Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Gary R Jones, MD  Associate Medical Director, Clinical Development, Berlex Laboratories

Gary R Jones, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Western Society for Pediatric Research

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.

Gary D Crouch, MD  Associate Professor, Program Director of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship, Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Gary D Crouch, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Society of Hematology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert J Arceci, MD, PhD  King Fahd Professor of Pediatric Oncology, Professor of Pediatrics, Oncology and the Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Robert J Arceci, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Pediatric Society, American Society of Hematology, and American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. Mahfouz RA, Bolz HJ, Otrock ZK, Bergmann C, Muwakkit S. Novel mutation in the glycoprotein Ibß in a patient with Bernard-Soulier syndrome: possibility of distant parental consanguinity. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. Feb 15 2012;[Medline].

  3. Bartsch I, Sandrock K, Lanza F, Nurden P, Hainmann I, Pavlova A, et al. Deletion of human GP1BB and SEPT5 is associated with Bernard-Soulier syndrome, platelet secretion defect, polymicrogyria, and developmental delay. Thromb Haemost. Sep 2011;106(3):475-83. [Medline].

  4. Savoia A, Pastore A, De Rocco D, Civaschi E, Di Stazio M, Bottega R, et al. Clinical and genetic aspects of Bernard-Soulier syndrome: searching for genotype/phenotype correlations. Haematologica. Mar 2011;96(3):417-23. [Medline]. [Full Text].

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  15. Nurden AT. Qualitative disorders of platelets and megakaryocytes. J Thromb Haemost. Aug 2005;3(8):1773-82. [Medline].

  16. Poon MC, d'Oiron R. Recombinant activated factor VII (NovoSeven) treatment of platelet-related bleeding disorders. International Registry on Recombinant Factor VIIa and Congenital Platelet Disorders Group. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. Apr 2000;11 Suppl 1:S55-68. [Medline].

  17. Tefre KL, Ingerslev J, Sorensen B. Clinical benefit of recombinant factor VIIa in management of bleeds and surgery in two brothers suffering from the Bernard-Soulier syndrome. Haemophilia. Jan 2009;15(1):281-4. [Medline].

  18. Watanabe R, Ishibashi T, Saitoh Y, et al. Bernard-soulier syndrome with a homozygous 13 base pair deletion in the signal peptide-coding region of the platelet glycoprotein Ib(beta) gene. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. Jun 2003;14(4):387-94. [Medline].

  19. Zieger B, Jenny A, Tsakiris DA, et al. A large Swiss family with Bernard-Soulier syndrome - Correlation phenotype and genotype. Hamostaseologie. May 2009;29(2):161-7. [Medline].

 
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Peripheral smear of a patient with Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) showing giant platelets. These platelets are not counted as platelets in most particle counters.
 
 
 
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