User:Mr. Ibrahem/Thrombocytopenia
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thrombocytopenia is a low levels of platelets (thrombocytes) in the blood.[1] Symptoms may include bleeding, including within the body, into the skin, or externally such as from the gums.[1] Bleeding into the skin may result in purpura (purple bruises) or petechiae (small red dots).[1]
Thrombocytopenia | |
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Other names | Thrombocytopaenia, thrombopenia |
Blood under a microscope showing thrombocytopenia | |
Pronunciation |
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Specialty | Hematology |
Symptoms | Purple bruises, small red dots in the skin, bleeding gums[1] |
Causes | Bone marrow not making enough, increased destruction, spleen holding too many[1] |
Diagnostic method | Platelets < 150 x 109/L[2] |
Treatment | None, immunosuppressants, platelet transfusion, surgical removal of the spleen[1] |
Frequency | Relatively common[3] |
Low platelets may occur due to insufficient production, increased destruction, or the spleen holding on to too many.[1] Insufficient production may occur due to leukemia, aplastic anemia, certain chemicals or medications, alcohol, viral infections, and genetic conditions.[1] Increased destruction may occur due to immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), certain medications, infections, surgery, pregnancy, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).[1] The spleen may hold on to too many when it is enlarged.[1] In adults there are normally 150 to 450 x 109 platelets per L (150,000 to 450,000 per mm3) of blood with values below that defined as thrombocytopenia.[2]
Treatment depends on the cause.[1] Mild cases may not require specific treatment.[1] In severe disease corticosteroids, rituximab, or eltrombopag may be used.[1] When platelets are below 20 x 109 per L a platelet transfusion may be recommended.[2] Surgical removal of the spleen may be used if medications are not effective.[1] The condition is relatively common, with about half of people in the intensive care unit having the condition.[3]