We report the clinical history of a patient suffering from a mucocutaneous bleeding diathesis since his birth. Discussing this case of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia we present essential aspects of clinical approach, diagnostic procedures and management of patients with platelet dysfunctions. Furthermore, we summarize the current understanding of platelet involvement in the haemostatic process and we discuss the role of the fibrinogen receptor glycoprotein IIb-IIIa.