Diseases Treatment

What do doctors call this condition?

Thrombocytopenia

What is this Condition?

Low platelet counts are the most common cause of bleeding disorders. Because platelets playa vital role in blood clotting, this disorder poses a serious threat to the body’s ability to control bleeding.

The prognosis depends on how well the person responds to treatment of the underlying cause. For example, in drug-induced platelet shortage the person may recover immediately if the offending drug is withdrawn.

What Causes It?

A shortage of platelets may be congenital (present at birth) or, more commonly, acquired. In either case, the condition usually results from decreased or defective production of platelets in the bone marrow (as occurs in leukemia, aplastic anemia, or poisoning with certain drugs) or from increased platelet destruction outside the marrow caused by an underlying disorder (such as cirrhosis of the liver, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or severe infection).

Less commonly, a low platelet count results from sequestration or platelet loss. An acquired low platelet count may result from the use of certain drugs.

What are its Symptoms?

A platelet shortage typically produces a sudden onset of red spots or bruising on the skin or bleeding into any mucous membrane. Nearly all people with this disorder lack other symptoms, although some may complain of malaise, fatigue, and general weakness. In adults, large blood-filled blisters characteristically appear in the mouth. In a severe low platelet count, hemorrhage may lead to rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, and death.

How is it Diagnosed?

The doctor obtains a history (including a drug history), performs a physical exam, and orders coagulation studies to provide information on platelet count and bleeding time. If increased platelet destruction is causing the low platelet count, bone marrow studies are ordered.

How is it Treated?

The preferred treatment is to eliminate the underlying cause or, in a drug-induced platelet shortage, to discontinue the offending drug. Other possible treatments may include giving corticosteroids or immune globulin to increase platelet production. Platelet transfusions are helpful only in treating complications of severe hemorrhage.