What does it mean to have a low platelet count?
admin | Jan 01, 2013 | 2 comments
My friend’s brother went to the hospital today, and has as low platelet count (his count is 9000). I red on WebMD that a normal count for a child (he’s five) is from 150,000-450,000. Can anyone tell me what might be wrong and whether or not he’ll be okay? Thanks so much!
Filed Under: Health and Ill
it could be an error -he won’t know till he discusses the results with his doctor.
Could be many reasons.
From the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org/pediatric-thrombocytopenia/
The most common causes for thrombocytopenia in children are:
* Premature destruction of platelets
* Production of too few platelets in bone marrow
* Trapping of platelets in an enlarged spleen
The diseases and/or origins associated with these causes include:
* Aplastic anemia
* Bone marrow disorders
* Certain drugs such as sulfa-containing antibiotics
* Hemolytic uremic syndrome
* HIV infection
* Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
* Leukemia
* Lymphoma
* Megaloblastic anemias
* Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
* Purpura after blood transfusions
* Severe infections with blood poisoning
* Systemic lupus erythematosus
* Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
The most common cause of low platelet counts in children is idiopathic or immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
“ITP” is the most likely cause in the case you are asking about
From WebMD http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/idiopathic-thrombocytopenic-purpura-11046
“Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a rare autoimmune bleeding disorder characterized by the abnormally low levels of certain blood cells called platelets, creating a condition known as thrombocytopenia. Platelets are specialized blood cells that help prevent and stop bleeding by inducing clotting. In ITP, there is no readily apparent cause or underlying disease (idiopathic). The cells of the immune system, lymphocytes, produce anti-platelet antibodies that attach to the platelets. The presence of antibodies on platelets leads to their destruction in the spleen. The disorder is characterized by abnormal bleeding into the skin resulting in bruising, which is what the term purpura means. Bleeding from mucous membranes also occurs, and may subsequently result in low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia).
ITP presents as a brief, self-limiting form of the disorder (acute ITP) or a longer-term form (chronic ITP). Acute ITP accounts for about 90% of cases, and chronic ITP accounts for the remainder. Eighty percent (80%) of the children with ITP have the acute form while the chronic form affects mostly adults. The acute form usually resolves without treatment (spontaneously) within three to six months. When thrombocytopenia lasts for more than six to 12 months, ITP is classified as the chronic form. Onset of acute ITP is often rapid, while the onset of the chronic form may be gradual.”
The bottom line for your question is this part – - -
Eighty percent (80%) of the children with ITP have the acute form which usually resolves without treatment (spontaneously) within three to six months, so hopefully, he will be fine.
Sorry this is so complicated. Few things are simple in medicine.