Unusual presentation of malaria in an adolescent girl

We describe a rare case of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura triggered by Plasmodium vivax malarial infection in an adolescent girl. The patient developed thrombocytopenia and menorrhagia associated with an episode of malaria, and became dependent on corticosteroid therapy. The mechanisms by which this parasite evokes thrombocytopenia remain obscure.