Thrombocytopenia in newborns


Get to know us about the case Thrombocytopenia in newborns And the reasons for its occurrence and how this condition can affect the health of the child, so follow with us, dear reader, the following article for details.

What are platelets?

Platelets are the small cells that circulate in the blood, and when it detects any damage to the blood vessels, perhaps as a result of a cut or wound, the platelets connect to each other at the site of the damaged blood vessels, forming a blood clot, which helps prevent bleeding.

Thrombocytopenia in newborns

In normal cases, the platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood, and when the platelet count is less than 150,000, this means a platelet deficiency, which may cause more serious health problems in a newborn baby.

Diagnosis of thrombocytopenia

When a doctor suspects that a newborn baby has a platelet deficiency, he or she will check the family health history and will perform a blood test known as a complete blood test (CBC).CBC) to detect platelet count.

Causes of thrombocytopenia in newborns

Thrombocytopenia in children can occur due to a problem with the immune system, which may cause increased damage or damage to the platelets, or cause the body to produce less platelets, so that they are unable to clot properly to prevent bleeding. Platelet deficiency may also occur as a result of some the following factors:

  • Having certain health conditions, such as leukemia, lymphoma or bone marrow failure (aplastic anemia).
  • Some genetic conditions.
  • Bacterial or viral infection.
  • Take some medications.
  • Exposure to some toxic chemicals.
  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) which occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets, and is the most common cause of thrombocytopenia in children.

Sometimes doctors may not be able to determine the exact cause of the condition in a newborn baby.

Risk factors for thrombocytopenia

After knowing the causes of platelet deficiency in newborns, it should be known that there may be some factors that can increase the risk of a child developing platelet deficiency, including the following:

  • Child stay in the neonatal intensive care unit.
  • premature birth of a child.

  • Low birth weight of the fetus.

Symptoms of thrombocytopenia in children

Symptoms may vary from one child to another, but some of the symptoms and signs associated with this condition can include:

  • Small red bumps or spots on the skin known as petechiae.
  • Bleeding in other body systems.
  • The child has yellowing of the skin and yellowing of the white area in the eye.

Treatment of thrombocytopenia in newborns

The child’s infection with this condition is usually discovered by the doctor through a medical examination and blood tests, and the determination of treatment may depend on determining the exact cause of the condition, and sometimes the doctor may not find treatment necessary if the condition is simple, as it can improve on its own with the passage of time.

Treatment may be with medications, such as corticosteroids or drugs that suppress the immune system. It may also be treated with blood transfusions or transfusions of parts of blood cells to help the blood clot properly.

And in the end, dear reader, after you got to know me Thrombocytopenia in newborns And its causes, symptoms, and how to treat it. We hope that we have answered all your questions on this subject, and we wish you continued health and wellness.