REVIEW

Neonatal thrombocytopenia: causes and management

I Roberts, N A Murray

Imperial College, Hammersmith Campus, London W12 0NN, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Roberts, Department of Haematology, Hammersmith Campus, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK;
irene.roberts{at}ic.ac.uk

Neonatal thrombocytopenia is a common clinical problem. Thrombocytopenia presenting in the first 72 hours of life is usually secondary to placental insufficiency and caused by reduced platelet production; fortunately most episodes are mild or moderate and resolve spontaneously. Thrombocytopenia presenting after 72 hours of age is usually secondary to sepsis or necrotising enterocolitis and is usually more severe and prolonged. Platelet transfusion remains the only treatment. There is a need for trials to define the safe lower limit for platelet count and which neonates will benefit from treatment.

Keywords: interleukin 11; platelets; preterm; thrombocytopenia

Abbreviations: NICU, neonatal intensive care unit; NEC, necrotising enterocolitis; NAITP, neonatal alloimmune; thrombocytopenia; HPA, human platelet antigen; ICH, intracranial haemorrhage; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; Tpo, thrombopoietin; IL, interleukin; rh, recombinant human

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• McCrae, K. R., Matthews, D. C., Linenberger, M. (2007). Consultative hematology. ASH-SAP 2007: 466-505 [Full Text]  
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