Definition:
Thrombocytopenia is the presence of relatively few platelets in one's blood.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory tests might include: full blood count, liver enzymes, vitamin B12 levels, renal function, folic acid levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and peripheral blood smear.
If the cause for the low platelet count remains unknown, bone marrow biopsy is often undertaken, to differentiate whether the low platelet count is due to decreased production or peripheral destruction.
Treatment:
Treatment is guided by etiology and severity of the disease. The primary concept in treating thrombocytopenia is to eliminate the underlying problem, whether that means discontinuing suspected drugs that cause thrombocytopenia, or treating underlying sepsis
Symptoms and Signs:
Often, low platelet levels do not result to clinical problems; rather, they are picked up on a routine full blood count (or CBC, complete blood count ). Sometimes, there may be bruising, particularly purpura in the forearms, nosebleeds and/or bleeding gums.
Causes:
Some causes include: vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency; leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome; decreased production of thrombopoietin by the liver in liver failure; sepsis, systemic viral or bacterial infection; dengue fever can cause thrombocytopenia by direct infection of bone marrow megakaryocytes as well as immunological shortened platelet survival; and hereditary syndromes.
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