3.3 Thrombocytopenia

• What does thrombocytopenia mean?

  Very low numbers of platelets in blood
• How does bleeding in thrombocytopenia differ from hemophilia?

  Bleeding occurs from small venules or capillaries
• What type of hemorrhages occur in thrombocytopenia?

  Small punctate hemorrhages throughout body tissues
• What is the appearance of skin in thrombocytopenia?

  Purplish blotches on the skin
• Why are platelets important in the body?

  They repair minute breaks in small vessels
• At what platelet count does bleeding typically occur?

  Below 50,000/μl
• What is the normal platelet count range?

  150,000 to 300,000/μl
• What platelet count level is frequently lethal?

  As low as 10,000/μl
• How can thrombocytopenia be suspected without specific platelet counts?

  If blood clot fails to retract
• What is clot retraction dependent on?

  Release of coagulation factors from platelets
• What is the most common type of thrombocytopenia?

  Idiopathic thrombocytopenia
• What does idiopathic thrombocytopenia mean?

  Thrombocytopenia of unknown cause
• What happens to platelets in idiopathic thrombocytopenia?

  Antibodies react against and destroy them
• How can relief from bleeding be achieved in thrombocytopenia?

  By giving fresh whole blood transfusions
• Why are fresh whole blood transfusions effective?

  They contain large numbers of platelets
• What is the role of splenectomy in treating thrombocytopenia?

  It removes the spleen, reducing platelet destruction
• How effective is splenectomy for thrombocytopenia?

  It can lead to almost complete cure