FAQ - Thrombocytopenia
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Thrombocytopenia?


I don't know if anyone knows what that is, but I figured I would ask anyways. Anyone know, heard or experienced it..Something like neoatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia...something like that... My previous pregnancy has very similiar if not exact symptoms of it and so I am going to get checked for it.
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Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia is the platelet equivalent of hemolytic (Rh) disease of the newborn, developing as a result of maternal alloimmunization to fetal platelet antigens. It affects one in 1,000-2,000 live births and can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition (12, 13). Unlike Rh disease, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia can occur during a first pregnancy. Almost half of the clinically evident cases of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia are discovered in the first live-born infant (14).

In typical cases of unanticipated neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, the mother is healthy and has a normal platelet count, and her pregnancy, labor, and delivery are indistinguishable from those of other low-risk obstetric patients. The neonates, however, are either born with evidence of profound thrombocytopenia or develop symptomatic thrombocytopenia within hours after birth. Affected infants often manifest generalized petechiae or ecchymoses over the presenting fetal part. Hemorrhage into viscera and bleeding following circumcision or venipuncture also may ensue. The most serious complication of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia is intracranial hemorrhage, which occurs in 10-20% of infants (14, 15). Fetal intracranial hemorrhage due to neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia can occur in utero, and 25-50% of fetal intracranial hemorrhage in untreated mothers may be detected by ultrasonography before the onset of labor (16). Ultrasonographic findings may include intracranial hemorrhage, porencephalic cysts, and obstructive hydrocephalus. These observations are in contrast to neonatal intracranial hemorrhage due to ITP, which is exceedingly rare and usually occurs during the neonatal period.

Several polymorphic, diallelic antigen systems residing on platelet membrane glycoproteins are responsible for neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. Many of these antigen systems have several names because they were identified in different parts of the world concurrently. Recently, a uniform nomenclature has been adopted that describes these antigens as human platelet antigens (HPA-1 and HPA-2), with alleles designated as "a" or "b" (17). Although there are at least 10 officially recognized platelet-specific antigens at this time, more than 50% of the reported cases in Caucasians and most of the severe cases have occurred as a result of sensitization against HPA-1a, also known as PlA1 and Zwa.

Fetal thrombocytopenia due to HPA-1a sensitization tends to be severe and can occur early in gestation. In a cohort study of 107 fetuses with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (97 with HPA-1a incompatibility) studied in utero before receiving any therapy, 50% had initial platelet counts of less than 20,000/mL (13). This percentage included 21 of 46 fetuses tested before 24 weeks of gestation. Furthermore, this series documented that the fetal platelet count decreases at a rate of more than 15,000/mL per week in the absence of therapy.

The recurrence risk of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia is extremely high and approaches 100% in cases involving HPA-1a if the subsequent sibling carries the pertinent antigen (13). Thus, the recurrence risk is related to the zygosity of the father. As with red cell alloimmunization, the disease tends to be equally severe or progressively worse in subsequent pregnancies.  (+ info)

thrombocytopenia?


how often does thrombocytopenia occur? how many people?
what are the names of the people that take care of people with thrombocytopenia?
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Thrombocytopenia is any disorder in which there are not enough platelets. Platelets are cells in the blood that help blood to clot. This condition is sometimes associated with abnormal bleeding.

Thrombocytopenia is often divided into three major causes of low platelets:

Low production of platelets in the bone marrow
Increased breakdown of platelets in the bloodstream (called intravascular)
Increased breakdown of platelets in the spleen or liver (called extravascular)
Disorders that involve low production in the bone marrow include:

Aplastic anemia
Cancer in the bone marrow
Infections in the bone marrow (rare)
Drugs (very rare)

Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. In some cases, a transfusion of platelets may be required to stop or prevent bleeding.  (+ info)

Does thrombocytopenia occur in all cases of leukemia?


I was just wondering because I thought thrombocytopenia caused easy bruising and bleeding. But my cousin who was diagnosed with leukemia didn't really bruise all that much. In fact he hardly ever did. Oh and do all cases have constant low grade fevers? I just want to know more about leukemia because I want to understand what's happening to my cousin. And whether he's going to get better soon.
Also does leukemia involve high WBC counts or low WBC counts.
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No
I agree with Lab Guy, but it is much more complicated.
You are asking about myriad different diseases.
Acute myelogenous leukemia or "AML" - there are at least 7 types
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia - also multiple types.
Then there are the chronic leukemias - both lymphocytic and myelocytic.
Each case is different. Each person is special.

Leukemia usually involves high white blood counts
but not always.  (+ info)

Do you know a renowned doctor in Oklahoma concerning thrombocytopenia?


My local hematologist in WV said that there is a renowned hematologist regarding thrombocytopenia but he could not think of his name and I may need to see him. Thanks!
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I'm wondering if it is Dr. James N. George of the University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma City?

He is a co-researcher for an experimental drug helping patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
(His name is at the bottom of the page.)
http://nyp.org/news/hospital/bussel-itp-study.html  (+ info)

what is the real cause of thrombocytopenia in most malaria patients?


i'm doing a graduation project on thrombocytopenia in Malaria. and i got 90 cases +ve with malaria and 65 of them having thrombocytopenia. i just want to know the cause of this phenomena. and what's the relation between paltelet and malaria?
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The Plasmodium species(the parasite that causes malaria) have no direct effect on platelets. Instead Plasmodium attacks red blood cells (RBCs) and when the are damaged they are trapped by the spleen which filters the blood. Because there are so many RBCs damaged the spleen takes up an unusually high number of RBCs and becomes enlarged (splenomegaly). The platelets get trapped in the now clogged spleen and this causes the thrombocytopenia.  (+ info)

is contraceptive for women with Thrombocytopenia is safe?


I was newly engaged with a lady that has Thrombocytopenia and she plan to have injectable contraceptive is this idea safe?
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This does not sound like a safe idea but I would recommend checking with the specialist treating your thrombocytopenia as well to see what they say.  (+ info)

How common is a diagnosis of thrombocytopenia? Anyone out there care to share your experiences?


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In the case of idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura; why is the external aspect "gravity prone"?


ITP effects the internal organs. EGD's are done for the diagnosis which show the results of purpura in multiple locations throughout the body. In the history of ITP, it has been noted to be seen in gravity prone area's (legs, bottom of feet, palm of hands. buttocks etc...). In what relation does this have with the internal system's.
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They never did an EGD when i had Itp... A simple CBC will tell if you have it.... the excessive bruising is probably noted in gravity prone areas because thats where blood pools, since itp often leads to bleeding. The EGD is only done if they think uncontrolled bleeding from your digestive tract is causing it, and there are many other causes.  (+ info)

What is idiopathic thrombocytopenia? How is it related to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura?


  (+ info)

Does anyone know if there is a link between upper respiratory infections and thrombocytopenia?


  (+ info)

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