Thrombocytopenia

Question 1

What are the signs and symptoms of thrombocytopenia?

Answer 1

• **Rash:
  - petechiae, purpura
  - non-itching
  - ***NON-BLANCHING (only rash that doesn’t blanch)
• Otherwise asymptomatic

Question 2

What are the causes of thrombocytopenia?

Answer 2

• ** Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)
• Drug-induced
• Recent bacterial/viral infection
• Idiopathic
• Leukemia
• SLE (lupus)

Question 3

What lab results would be expected/consistent with thrombocytopenia?

Answer 3

• Platelet count < 150,000
• Rest of CBC usually normal
• PT/PTT, thrombin & INR: not necessarily changed since platelets are not related to coagulation cascade

Question 4

What does the management of thrombocytopenia entail?

Answer 4

• **Hematology referral
• Prednisone for 4-6 weeks (daily course for chronic ITP)
• Minimal activity/contact activity
• No aspirin