Thrombocytopenia refers to a decrease in platelets in the blood. It can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, medications, liver failure decreasing thrombopoietin production, or conditions like ITP or leukemia. Symptoms include bruising, petechiae, nosebleeds, and fatigue. Diagnosis involves blood tests to check counts, functions, and potential causes. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause and sometimes administering platelet transfusions for newborns with thrombocytopenia.

1. THROMBOCYTOPENIA
Mónica Delgado C.

2.  The terms thrombocytopenia refer to a relative
decrease of platelets in blood.

3. CAUSES
 Vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency
 Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
 Thrombocytopenia-inducing medications
 Increased destruction
 Decreased production of thrombopoietin by the liver
in liver failure
 Leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome

4. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
 Occasionally, there may be
bruising , particularly
purpura in the forearms,
petechia (pinpoint
hemorrhages on skin and
mucous membranes),
nosebleeds and/or
bleeding gums
A person with this disease may
also complain of malaise, fatigue,
and general weakness (with or
without accompanying blood
loss).

5. DIAGNOSIS
 Laboratory tests might include:
 full blood count
 liver enzymes
 renal function
 vitamin B12 levels
 folic acid levels
 erythrocyte sedimentation rate
 peripheral blood smear

6. TREATMENT
 The main concept in treating thrombocytopenia is to
eliminate the underlying problem, whether that
means discontinuing suspected drugs that cause
thrombocytopenia, or treating underlying sepsis.

7.  Thrombocytopenia affects a few percent of
newborns, and its prevalence in neonatal intensive
care units is high.
 Most of the cases of thrombocytopenia affect
preterm birth infants and are results of placental
insufficiency and/or fetal hypoxia.