Related Experiment Videos
Platelet disorders in newborn infants: diagnosis and management
1Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
Insights
Neonatal platelet disorders can cause serious bleeding. This review covers platelet physiology, function in newborns, and management of quantitative and qualitative platelet issues in infants up to 4 months old.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Thrombosis
Background:
- Platelets are essential for hemostasis, forming plugs at injury sites.
- Platelet abnormalities (quantitative or qualitative) can lead to significant bleeding.
- Neonates (infants up to 4 months) are particularly susceptible to platelet dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review platelet physiology and function in neonates.
- To discuss quantitative and qualitative platelet disorders in newborns.
- To outline platelet transfusion therapy in the neonatal population.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on platelet disorders in neonates.
- Analysis of platelet physiology and function in healthy and sick infants.
- Synthesis of information on quantitative and qualitative platelet abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Platelet function in neonates differs from adults, impacting hemostasis.
- Quantitative disorders include thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis.
- Qualitative disorders involve impaired platelet aggregation and secretion.
Conclusions:
- Understanding neonatal platelet physiology is crucial for diagnosing and managing bleeding.
- Prompt recognition and appropriate treatment of neonatal platelet disorders can improve outcomes.
- Platelet transfusion remains a key therapeutic option for severe neonatal thrombocytopenia.
Abstract:
Platelets are small, disc-shaped, anucleated cells formed by fragmentation of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. They circulate in blood with a lifespan of 7 to 10 days and, together with fibrin, form hemostatic plugs at sites of vessel injury. Abnormalities of platelets, either quantitative or qualitative, may cause clinically significant bleeding with resultant morbidity and, on occasion, mortality. This review will focus on platelet disorders in neonates, defined as infants of up to 4 months of age. Special emphasis will be given to the physiology of platelet function in healthy and sick newborn infants. The review will be divided into sections as follows: role of platelets in hemostasis, platelet function in newborn infants, quantitative platelet disorders, qualitative platelet disorders, and platelet transfusion therapy.