Intracranial Hemorrhage in Newborn with TAR Syndrome—A Feared Complication ()
1. Introduction
The thrombocytopenia-absent radius syndrome (TAR) is characterized by the absence of the radius and necessarily with the presence of the thumbs on both hands. It was described for the first time in 1959, having your diagnostic criteria established by Hall et al. 10 years after the first case report [1], despite the reports of newborns with thrombocytopenia and the absence of bones of the forearm exists since 1929 [2]. The incidence of the disease is still not yet established. However, the general projection of this index is around 0.5 - 1:100,000 live births [3].
The pattern of heredity, so as the physiopathology, is still not defined yet, been likely a hereditary autosomal inheritance, where the genes affected would be pathogenic variants of RMB8A. Case reports and genetic studies more currents suggest a strong cytogenetic association, especially the 1q21.1 deletion or microdeletion [4] [5].
The presence of thumbs bilaterally is important because it helps to separate from the main differential diagnoses like Fanconi anemia, Holt-Oram syndrome, VACTERL (vertebral anomalies, anorectal anomalies, cardiac anomalies, trachea-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, limb anomalies) syndrome and trisomy 18 [6], since TAR syndrome can also present cardiac anomalies, such as atrial septal defect or limbs aplasia, phocomelia, gastrointestinal or renal anomalies.
Cow milk intolerance may be the most common anomaly that is not a diagnostic criterion, some authors suggesting an incidence around 47% to 62% [1] [3] among patients with TAR syndrome. The importance of this affection lays on the fact that the introduction or the maintenance of cow’s milk may unleash hematologic symptoms, through mechanisms not well known and gastrointestinal symptoms as gastrointestinal bleeding.
Thrombocytopenia in this disease is megakaryocytic [1] [2] [7] and asymptomatic in most cases. However, in newborns, symptomatic cases can reach 90%. Platelets serum level, especially at birth, is 15,000/mm3 to 35,000/mm3 [7]. When these values are below 10,000/mm3 [7] and cow’s milk is introduced in the diet, the risk of bleeding is increased. Although most of hemorrhagic events are self-limited, intracranial bleeding is a serious complication and an important cause of impaired development.
Information was collected through medical record, imaging study obtained during hospitalization in Heliopolis Hospital and patient and family interview.
The lack of reports of bleeding events and the correct diagnosis makes the illustration of clinical data and imaging review relevant.
2. Case Report
Five days old patient, female, natural of the countryside of São Paulo, from a very low income family, is brought to the emergency room with history of three generalized tonic-clonic seizures during the last 24 hours. In physical examination, there were hypoplastic lower extremities (Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b)), facial hemangioma and hypoplastic jaw. It was a full-term first-time twin pregnancy, without history of prenatal care or obstetric ultrasound. She was delivered via vaginal way, as a first newborn, whose sister died at birth. There was no history of consanguinity of the genitors. The parents did not have a known history of comorbidities or genetic disorders in the family.
Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis at the expense of neutrophils, with no blasts and platelets level at 5,000/mm3. Kidney and liver functions were normal. HIV, VDRL and CMV tests were clear.
At first, the patient was managed with intravenous anti-convulsant drugs, with initial control of the seizures.
After the initial management, investigation was proceeded with upper limbs x-ray that demonstrated bilateral radius absence with presence of both thumbs; and transfontanellar ultrasound revealed hyperechogenic areas in encephalic parenchyma (Figure 2(a) and Figure 2(b)), the largest measuring up to 2.3 cm, compatible with intracranial hemorrhage.
Due to the recurrence of the seizures, head computed tomography was performed without contrast, in the attempt of discarding other structural causes, and showed hyperdense areas in the occipital region (Figure 3(a) and Figure 3(b)), confirming the bleeding alone.
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Figure 1. Anteroposterior x-ray of the upper limps shows the absence of radius bilaterally with complete fingers, including thumbs, on both hands.
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Figure 2. Coronal view of transfontanellar ultrasound demonstrated hyperechogenic foci in the interior of cerebral parenchyma, highly suggestive of bleeding.
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Figure 3. Head computed tomography revealed hyperdense sites on the left cerebral parenchyma and in the subdural space, confirming intracranial hemorrhage.
Connecting physical exam, laboratory results and imaging study, and after discarding criteria for other diseases such as Fanconi Anemia and VACTERL alteration, the diagnostic criteria for TAR syndrome was fulfilled. Due to the formal indication (active bleeding with platelet level below 10,000/mm3), in absent radius with thrombocytopenia, treatment was initiated with platelets transfusion, demonstrating satisfactory response, reversion of hematologic status and complete reversion of tonic-clonic convulsions.
First neonatal and then bi-monthly follow up was performed during the first year of life of the patient, and although with poor prognostic due to the extensive intracerebral bleeding, the infant had a good development and did not have a new hemorrhagic event. Genetic testing was not performed in the follow up evaluations.
The patient is now under specialized medical care, with regular consultations with pediatrician, hematologist, orthopedic surgeon, neurology pediatrician and has no complications and appropriate neurological development.
3. Discussion
Anatomical changes observed at admission, confirmed with imaging study, and platelets levels were crucial to fulfill the diagnostic criteria of TAR syndrome. As reported in previous cases, secondary manifestations of thrombocytopenia, like petechial rash, dysentery [4] or central nervous system bleeding, are responsible for the diagnosis in several situations.
Despite being a rare syndrome, with incidence not well established, it is important the publication of reports of this pathology, since mortality rate in the first 12 months is the highest and prognosis is linked to the severity of thrombocytopenia in this period [8].
Diagnosis is possible at birth when skeletal changes and low level of platelets are noticed, allowing periodic following and decreasing of hemorrhagic events.
Scientific reports of this syndrome are spare in general publication, ALBINA, S. et al. [8] reported a case of TAR syndrome without intracranial bleeding at birth, evolving with increase of platelets levels at 18 months, making orthopedics procedures possible for better quality of life. Also, Cocci, P. et al. [6] described the case of three children with TAR syndrome. All of them were reported alive and underwent orthopedic, hematologic and nutritional follow-up. One of the patients had hemorrhagic diarrhea, but none had intracranial bleeding.
Health professionals must be ready to avoid unfavorable closures as hemorrhage and important anemia. The difficulty to perform venipuncture due to anatomic changes in these patients may delay intravenous infusion of crystalloid, blood product or drugs and intensify the pain, because of the various attempts to collect blood sample [6].
4. Conclusion
Articles and case reports about this subject are extremely relevant due to lack of scientific material regarding TAR syndrome and the need for early diagnosis, decreasing the incidence of unfavorable repercussions. It is important to spread among the medical community the information about a rare, but possible, cause of thrombocytopenia.
Academic Attachment
Hospital Heliopolis.
Ethical Approval and Consent
This article does not have trials with humans or animals performed by any of the authors. The patient parents were aware of the publication of the case and gave fully consent.