Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)

Description Not having enough b...

Description

Not having enough blood platelets. Platelets are blood cells made in the bone marrow that are needed for effective blood clotting. Patients with this disorder experience bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura) and bleeding from almost any organ. The disorder can be life threatening. There are many types and causes of thrombocytopenia, such as: immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), drug induced thrombocytopenia from chemotherapy or heparin therapy, alcohol abuse, myelodysplastic syndrome and other bone marrow diseases, and infections.

Symptoms

Bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, pinpoint red spots on the skin (petechiae), red-blue patches on the skin (purpura), blood in the urine or stools, black stools (melena), cuts that have prolonged bleeding.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A history and physical exam and a complete blood count (CBC) will be performed. Other tests to determine the cause of the low platelets will be done. A bone marrow biopsy may be done.

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)

Other Specific Tests: Bone marrow biopsy, PT (Protime), PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)

Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Blood and Cancer Care (hematology and oncology), Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

Treatment

Therapy depends on the cause of the condition, the severity of the deficiency, and if there is any associated on-going bleeding. Treatment may include: platelet transfusions, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, plasma exchange, corticosteroids, and/or surgical removal of the spleen.