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Thrombocytopenia
Medical Questions » Thrombocytopenia
| Name: Thrombocytopenia |
| Also known as: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura |
| Complex uncommon condition due to a lack of platelets (also known as thrombocytes), the blood cells that are responsible for controlling the rate at which blood clots. |
Causes of Thrombocytopenia
In children the condition often follows a viral illness and settles quickly, but in adults it is usually an autoimmune condition (body rejects its own cells) in which platelets are inappropriately destroyed by the spleen for no apparent reason. Can also occur as a result of adverse drug reactions, infections and other rare disorders. |
Symptoms of Thrombocytopenia
Patients are unable to clot their blood as quickly as normal, and they bleed excessively. They develop purpura (red dots under the skin caused by microscopic bleeding) across a wide area, bleed internally to cause black motions, have nosebleeds that are difficult to stop, may vomit and cough blood, bruise very easily, bleed around their teeth after eating and may bleed very heavily during a menstrual period. |
Tests for Thrombocytopenia
Diagnosis confirmed by a simple blood test. |
Treatment for Thrombocytopenia
In some children, rest and time only necessary. In all adults and most children high doses of prednisone (a steroid) are given to settle the condition and allow more platelets to be made in the bone marrow. Immunoglobulin injections may also be used. As the spleen is the organ destroying the platelets, surgical removal of this can cure the disease in resistant cases. Other exotic medications may be used in severe cases.
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Complications of Thrombocytopenia of its treatment
Bleeding into the brain may cause a stroke, or very rarely, death. |
Likely Outcome of Thrombocytopenia
May last for a long time in adults, but the vast majority of patients respond well to treatment, although there are significant dangers before the patient presents to a doctor and in the first few days of treatment. May occasionally recur in adults, but rarely in children. |
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