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What is thrombocytopenia? How might this common condition affect you?
Thrombocytopenia, also known as thrombocytopenia, is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets (also called thrombus cells) in the blood. Having too few platelets can lead to persistent or excessive bleeding and is particularly common among patients in intensive care units, affecting about one in five medical patients and one in three surgical patients.
Normal human platelet counts range from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter. Platelet counts below 50,000/μL usually require emergency medical attention.
Signs and symptoms
Thrombocytopenia usually has no obvious symptoms and is often detected with a routine complete blood count. Some patients may experience external bleeding such as nosebleeds or gum bleeding. Some women may have heavier or longer periods, and some may experience bruising, especially purple spots on the forearms and small bleeding spots in the feet, legs, and mucous membranes. This may be due to spontaneous bleeding under the skin.
Painless, round, and pinpoint petechiae usually appear and fade, sometimes grouping to form ecchymoses.
Cause
Thrombocytopenia may be hereditary or acquired. Here are some common causes:
Reduced production
Abnormally low production of platelets in the blood may be caused by:
- Dehydration, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
- Leukemia or aplastic anemia
- Cirrhosis in chronic liver disease
- Some genetic syndromes, such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, Bernard-Soulier syndrome, etc.
Increase destruction
Causes of abnormally high rates of platelet destruction may include immune or non-immune diseases, such as:
- Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
- Hemolytic-uremic syndrome
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Diagnosis
Tests for thrombocytopenia may include a complete blood count, liver function tests, and vitamin levels. If the cause of a low platelet count remains unclear, doctors usually recommend a bone marrow biopsy.
In critically ill patients, persistent low platelet counts may indicate an underlying serious pathological condition.
Treatment
Treatment is usually based on the severity of the cause and focuses on eliminating the underlying problem, such as discontinuing the suspected medication or treating the underlying infection.
Platelet transfusion
Platelet transfusion may be recommended for severely low platelet counts due to thrombocytopenia.
Treatment of special illnesses
For example, emergency medical attention is required when treating thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), which can cause kidney failure and altered consciousness.
Thrombocytopenia in infancy and neonates
In newborns, the incidence of thrombocytopenia is relatively high, and it is more common in premature babies. Most of the time, this is mild and has no consequences.
Research indicates that the most severe forms of thrombocytopenia are related to fungal or Gram-negative bacterial infections.
In summary, although thrombocytopenia is common, its potential causes and effects are quite diverse. Will we pay attention to the normal range of platelets only in the case of bleeding?
