1. THROMBOCYTOPENIA
Mónica Delgado C.

2.  The terms thrombocytopenia refer to a relative
decrease of platelets in blood.

3. CAUSES
 Vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency
 Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
 Thrombocytopenia-inducing medications
 Increased destruction
 Decreased production of thrombopoietin by the liver
in liver failure
 Leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome

4. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
 Occasionally, there may be
bruising , particularly
purpura in the forearms,
petechia (pinpoint
hemorrhages on skin and
mucous membranes),
nosebleeds and/or
bleeding gums
A person with this disease may
also complain of malaise, fatigue,
and general weakness (with or
without accompanying blood
loss).

5. DIAGNOSIS
 Laboratory tests might include:
 full blood count
 liver enzymes
 renal function
 vitamin B12 levels
 folic acid levels
 erythrocyte sedimentation rate
 peripheral blood smear

6. TREATMENT
 The main concept in treating thrombocytopenia is to
eliminate the underlying problem, whether that
means discontinuing suspected drugs that cause
thrombocytopenia, or treating underlying sepsis.

7.  Thrombocytopenia affects a few percent of
newborns, and its prevalence in neonatal intensive
care units is high.
 Most of the cases of thrombocytopenia affect
preterm birth infants and are results of placental
insufficiency and/or fetal hypoxia.