Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia can be simply defined as a blood platelet count of below 150 × 109/L. With the routine measurement of platelet number by automated cell counters it is a relatively common laboratory finding. Before initiating further investigations it is important to confirm that a low platelet count is genuine by careful inspection of the blood sample and film. Either a small clot in the sample or platelet clumping (Fig 34.1) can cause artefactual thrombocytopenia.
Fig 34.1 Blood film showing clumping of platelets.
This phenomenon causes an artefactual thrombocytopenia in the automated blood count.
Causes
Major causes of thrombocytopenia are listed in Table 34.1. Many of the diseases and syndromes are discussed elsewhere.
Table 34.1
| Pathogenesis | Disease examples |
| Failure of production | Leukaemia, myelodysplasia, aplastic anaemia, megaloblastic anaemia, myelofibrosis, malignant infiltration, infection, drugs1 |
| Shortened lifespan | |
| Immune | ITP, drugs1, connective tissue disorders, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, infection, post-transfusion purpura, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia |
| Non-immune | DIC, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura |
| Sequestration | Hypersplenism, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery |
| Dilution | Massive blood transfusion |
ITP, immune thrombocytopenia; DIC, disseminated intravascular coagulation.
In general terms there are four possible processes leading to thrombocytopenia:
Failure of marrow production. The bone marrow failure of haematological disease (e.g. aplastic anaemia, leukaemia) usually causes pancytopenia. However, thrombocytopenia may be the only sign of intrinsic marrow disease or marrow suppression associated with infection or chemotherapy.
Dilution. Normal platelets are diluted by massive blood transfusion.
Clinical presentation
Patients with thrombocytopenia are particularly prone to bleeding from mucous membranes. It should be emphasised that spontaneous bleeding is usually only seen with platelet counts of less than 10–20 × 109/L, although patients with associated platelet dysfunction may bleed at higher counts. Conjunctival haemorrhage, nose and gum bleeding and menorrhagia are all relatively common, with haematuria and melaena less frequent. Intracranial bleeding is of serious import but, thankfully, is rare. Possible examination findings include purpura and more extensive petechial haemorrhages involving the skin and mucous membranes (Fig 34.2). The retina should be routinely inspected for haemorrhages.
