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Thrombocytopenia in Children

Thrombocytopenia is a blood condition in which your child's body does not have enough platelets. The condition varies from mild to severe and treatment will vary according to severity, some may not even need treatment. Most of the treatments aim at stopping or curing the condition that is causing it.

  1. What is Thrombocytopenia?

    • Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which your child's body has a reduced number of platelets. When the body has a low level of platelets one of three events has occurred. Either the body has a condition that is causing a premature destruction of platelets or another possibility is that the body does not produce enough platelets. Another event that may be happening is that the immune system may be destroying the platelets. For example, the platelets may be getting trapped due to an enlarged spleen. This condition can also be inherited.

      There are many diseases that cause the condition. They include aplastic anemia, bone marrow disorder, antibiotics containing sulfa, hemolytic uremic syndrome, HIV, leukemia, lymphoma, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, blood poisoning, lupus, cancer in bone marrow, pregnancy and rheumatoid arthritis. The most common cause is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura which is when the immune system destroys the platelets usually in the spleen.

    Symptoms of Thrombocytopenia

    • The symptoms of thrombocytopenia varies from mild to severe. You may notice that your child bruises easily, has frequent nosebleeds, has a rash with small red spots, has heavy bleeding from minor cuts, has blood in their urine or stool or a heavy menstrual flow. Some children with very mild thrombocytopenia have no symptoms at all.

    Treatment of Thrombocytopenia

    • Since thrombocytopenia is a condition not a disease, treatment is aimed at stopping the cause. If the low level of platelets in your child's body is due to a medication that they are currently taking, then your physician will have to change the medication for. When the thrombocytopenia is caused from an infection, an antibiotic to stop the infection will be prescribed. Other treatments include giving an antibody (WinRho), chemotherapy, steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, removal of the spleen and blood transfusions.

    Possible Complications

    • Mild thrombocytopenia does not have any complications. Moderate to severe thrombocytopenia has complications that range from uncontrollable bleeding to the most dangerous which is bleeding into the brain or digestive tract.

    Lifestyle Reccomendations

    • If you have a child with a bleeding disorder, there are steps you can take to help prevent the chances of bleeding. For one, have them avoid aspirin and excessive alcohol use. Your child should also avoid contact sports which increase the risk of bleeding.

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