Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
09:46
Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells
Published on: December 27, 2017
Developmental differences in megakaryocyte size in infants and children
Deborah A Fuchs1, Sarah G McGinn, Carlos L Cantu
1Department of Pathology, Box 5403, 1501 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. dfuchs@email.arizona.edu
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|June 19, 2012
Summary
Neonatal megakaryocytes (MKs) have uniform sizes. By age 2, MK sizes diverge, and by age 4, they shift to larger adult sizes, impacting pediatric pathology diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Developmental Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Megakaryocyte (MK) development differs between neonates and adults.
- The precise age of MK transition to adult phenotype remains unclear.
- Small MKs are often misdiagnosed as dysplastic in pediatric bone marrow examinations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the age-related changes in megakaryocyte size and phenotype.
- To establish normal megakaryocyte size ranges across different pediatric age groups.
- To provide diagnostic criteria for evaluating pediatric bone marrow samples.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 72 bone marrow samples from 61 patients (3 days to 80 years).
- Measurement of megakaryocyte diameters using anti-CD61 staining.
- Scatter plot analysis of megakaryocyte size distribution by patient age.
Main Results:
- Neonatal MKs exhibit uniform sizes.
- A divergence into smaller and larger MK clusters begins around 24 months (2 years).
- A general shift towards larger MKs is observed by age 4 years.
Conclusions:
- Megakaryocyte size and phenotype undergo significant developmental changes in early childhood.
- Understanding these age-related changes is crucial for accurate diagnosis of pediatric bone marrow abnormalities.
- This study provides a reference for normal megakaryocyte morphology in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Structure and Function of Platelets
The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
01:20Overview of Hematopoiesis
Hematopoiesis, or blood cell production, is a vital biological process that begins early in embryonic development and continues throughout life. This process generates the various types of cells found in blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...