PERIODONTAL MANAGEMENT OF GLANZMANNS-THROMBASTHENIA - REPORT OF 3 CASES

GLANZMANN'S THROMBASTHENIA WAS REPORTED and described as a bleeding di athesis seen in children and characterized by diminished clot retracti on. It is an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder. The disease is mar ked by frequent mucocutaneous hemorrhages either due to defective func tion of the platelets or lack of fibrinogen binding membrane receptor glycoproteins IIb/IIIa which are located on the surface of the platele ts. Case reports on 3 siblings, a girl of 11, and 2 boys of 12 and 16 years old with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia are reviewed. The major comp laint of the patients was gingival bleeding. Periodontal treatment was performed under platelet transfusion and proper oral hygiene instruct ion was given. The patients were followed for 6 months and no periodon tal complications developed during this time. Proper periodontal care for such patients is essential both fur local and systemic health.