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Thrombocytopenia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Thrombocytopenia Classifications and external resources ICD-10 D69.6, P61.0 ICD-9 287.3, 287.4, 287.5 DiseasesDB 27522 MedlinePlus 000586 MeSH D013921 Thrombocytopenia (or -paenia, or thrombopenia in short) is the presence of relatively few platelets in blood.

Generally speaking a normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 and 450,000 per mm3. These limits, however, are determined by the 2.5th lower and upper percentile, and a deviation does not necessarily imply any form of disease. The number of platelets in a blood sample also decreases rather quickly with time and a low platelet count may be caused by a delay between sampling and analysis.

Contents [hide] 1 Signs and symptoms 2 Diagnosis 3 Causes 4 Treatment 5 External links

[edit] Signs and symptoms Often, low platelet levels do not lead to clinical problems; rather, they are picked up on a routine full blood count. Occasionally, there may be bruising, particularly purpura in the forearms, nosebleeds and/or bleeding gums.

It is vital that a full medical history is elicited, to ensure the low platelet count is not due to a secondary process. It is also important to ensure that the other blood cell types red blood cells, and white blood cells, are not also suppressed.

[edit] Diagnosis Laboratory tests might include: full blood count, liver enzymes, renal function, vitamin B12 levels, folic acid levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and peripheral blood smear.

If the cause for the low platelet count remains unclear, bone marrow biopsy is often undertaken, to differentiate whether the low platelet count is due to decreased production or peripheral destruction.

[edit] Causes Decreased platelet counts can be due to a number of disease processes:

decreased production vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome decreased production of erythropoietin due to Chronic Renal Failure peripheral destruction idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria antiphospholipid syndrome systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) medication-induced: Many of the commonly used drugs may cause thrombocytopenia or low platelet counts. Some drugs like anticancer drugs and valproic acid causes thrombocytopenia in a dose dependent mechanism by causing myelosuppression. Some other groups of drugs cause thrombocytopenia by immunological mechanisms. Based upon the mechanism immunological drug induced can be caused by two types. Example of the first mechanism is the quinidine group of drugs. This is caused by drug dependent binding of Fab part of the pathological antibody with the platelets, causing the destruction of platelets. The Fc portion of the antibody molecule is not involved in the binding process. Example of the second mechanism is heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In this type the Fab portion of the pathological antibody binds to platelet factor 4 (PF4). When complexed with heparin or other drugs, the Fc portion of the antibody molecule binds to platelet receptors causing platelet activation. Since Fc portion of the antibody is bound to the platelets, they are not available to the Fc receptors of the reticulo-endothelial cells. This may explain, why severe thrombocytopenia not commonly seen in patients with HIT. A list of known drugs causing thrombocytopenia is available at the linked website. Most of the elderly patients are on multiple medications and the intake of these drugs must always be considered in the differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia. heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT or white clot syndrome): this is a rare but serious condition that may occur in a hospitalized population especially in the cardiac units where they are exposed to large quantities of heparin. HIT may occur with a delay of 4 to 14 days after exposure to heparin. As mentioned above the heparin-PF4 antibody complex will activate the platelets, and this will lead to clotting. A term known as paradoxical thrombosis (HITT, where the last T is for thrombosis) is often used to describe this condition. abciximab-induced thrombocytopenia In some tropical countries, dengue fever infection is a known common cause of thrombocytopenia associated with fever.

[edit] Treatment Low platelet count does generally not warrant treatment, unless there is bleeding or the count is very low. In severe bleeding, platelet transfusion can be necessary.

Bleeding disorders may occasionally be treated by intranasal or intravenous desmopressin (ddAVP), which increases plasma levels of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor, two coagulation proteins.

[edit] External links Merck Manual 11-133b Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrombocytopenia" Category: Blood disorders

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