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10 - Thrombocytopenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2009

Andrea Primiani
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
Paolo Gresele
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy
Valentin Fuster
Affiliation:
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York
Jose A. Lopez
Affiliation:
Seattle University
Clive P. Page
Affiliation:
King's College London
Jos Vermylen
Affiliation:
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
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Summary

INTRODUCTION

This chapter focuses on the immune, nonimmune, acquired, and hereditary thrombocytopenias. In particular, it covers immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and alloimmune thrombocytopenia (AIT) in the fetus and newborn. However, an attempt is made to discuss all of the clinically significant thrombocytopenias. References to more detailed reviews and to specific articles in certain areas are provided. Areas that would benefit from additional research are highlighted as well.

IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA

After chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, ITP is among the most common causes of acquired thrombocytopenia. It has been estimated to affect approximately 1 in 10 000 in the general population, about half of whom are children, and to account for 0.18% of hospital admissions. ITP is caused by autoreactive antibodies that bind to platelets, shorten their life span, and, in an unknown percentage of cases, impair platelet production.

The clinical presentation of ITP varies from the acute onset of severe thrombocytopenia and important mucosal bleeding to the discovery of mild asymptomatic thrombocytopenia during evaluation of another illness or on a routine checkup. ITP can occur as an isolated, “idiopathic” condition or it may accompany other systemic disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of ITP. Several new treatment modalities have been introduced during the past 5 to 10 years.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2007

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  • Thrombocytopenia
    • By James B. Bussel, Andrea Primiani, Department of Pediatrics and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
  • Edited by Paolo Gresele, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy, Valentin Fuster, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, Jose A. Lopez, Seattle University, Clive P. Page, King's College London, Jos Vermylen, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
  • Book: Platelets in Hematologic and Cardiovascular Disorders
  • Online publication: 15 October 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511545276.012
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  • Thrombocytopenia
    • By James B. Bussel, Andrea Primiani, Department of Pediatrics and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
  • Edited by Paolo Gresele, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy, Valentin Fuster, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, Jose A. Lopez, Seattle University, Clive P. Page, King's College London, Jos Vermylen, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
  • Book: Platelets in Hematologic and Cardiovascular Disorders
  • Online publication: 15 October 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511545276.012
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Thrombocytopenia
    • By James B. Bussel, Andrea Primiani, Department of Pediatrics and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
  • Edited by Paolo Gresele, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy, Valentin Fuster, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, Jose A. Lopez, Seattle University, Clive P. Page, King's College London, Jos Vermylen, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
  • Book: Platelets in Hematologic and Cardiovascular Disorders
  • Online publication: 15 October 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511545276.012
Available formats
×