Normal platelet count is 150x10^9 to 400x10^9.
Presentation of thrombocytopenia may include epistaxis, bruising or menorrhagia.
Causes of thrombocytopenia
- Decreased production
- Congenital
- Fanconi’s anaemia
- Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
- Acquired
- Aplastic anaemia
- Leukaemia
- Marrow infiltration
- Radiotherapy
- Drugs
- Penicillamine
- Chemotherapy
- Viral infection
- Malaria
- Alcohol
- B12/folate deficiency
- Increased destruction
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Splenomegaly
- Infection
- Drugs
- Heparin
- Quinine
- Sulphates
- Penicillin
- Post-transfusion purpura
Treatment depends on the cause.
Small print gem: platelets have a life span of 7 to 10 days
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