Reduced platelet count in a child

Among the laboratory methods that help determine the state of health of children, blood tests are especially in demand. His results show the hemoglobin level, the number of different blood cells, their ratio and other parameters. The doctor primarily evaluates red blood cells and white blood cells in a blood test form, but platelets are equally important cells.

Such blood cells, also called blood platelets, play a large role in blood coagulation processes. In particular, if a blood vessel is damaged, platelets are involved in the formation of a clot that closes the damage, which causes the bleeding to stop.

The rate of blood platelets at the age of one year is called the indicator above 180 x 10⁹/ l, and for kids older than the year - 160 x 10⁹/ l.

In newborns, the platelet count per liter of blood can be 100 x 10⁹that is also considered a variant of the norm.

Gradually, the number of platelets increases, at a minimum of 150 x 10 at 10 days of age.⁹/ l.

Low platelet count is caused by such factors:

• Violation of the formation of such cells in the bone marrow. Their production can be inhibited due to viral infections, tumors, drugs and other effects.
• Destruction of platelets under the action of various factors, for example, as a result of the production of antibodies to such blood cells during autoimmune disease or when infected with a certain strain of E. coli.
• Redistribution of blood cells, which results in a lower number of platelets in the bloodstream. The reason for this change is an increase in the spleen, which is often seen in hepatitis.

Leading the next video will tell for what reasons can be reduced platelet count in the blood.

Allocate primary thrombocytopenia, which is an independent disease. It is also called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The exact cause of this pathology has not yet been elucidated, but doctors associate it with the autoimmune process, which is often activated after a viral disease or vaccination.

More often, a decrease in the number of platelets is only one of the symptoms of such diseases:

• Bacterial infections.
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome.
• Anemia
• DIC syndrome.
• Allergic reactions, for example, to a drug.
• Hepatitis, measles, rubella and other viral infections.
• Parasitic invasions.
• Asphyxia in newborns.
• Diseases of the thyroid gland.
• Diseases of the blood.
• Autoimmune pathology.
• Heavy metal poisoning.
• Tuberculosis.
• Malignant tumors.
• Acute renal failure.

Depending on the indicator of the blood test and the condition of the child, there are:

1. Mild or latent thrombocytopenia. With her blood platelets in a liter of blood, there are from 75 to 99 x 10⁹. Any clinical manifestations with such a decrease may be absent and the problem is often detected only after a blood test.
2. Moderate thrombocytopenia. It is diagnosed if the blood of a child is determined from 50 to 74 x 10⁹/ l platelet. Symptoms with such a reduction are not pronounced. Often it is represented by the frequent appearance of bruises and longer bleeding, which can still end on its own.
3. Medium thrombocytopenia. In this condition, platelets range from 20 to 49 x 10⁹/ l, and stopping bleeding will require effort. A child with such a decrease in blood platelets must be treated.
4. Severe thrombocytopenia. It is characterized by a decrease in the number of platelets less than 20 x 10⁹/ l, which represents a danger to the life of the baby, therefore, requires urgent hospitalization.

Decreased platelets in childhood can occur:

• The frequent appearance of bruises (sometimes they can occur even from touch).
• Prolonged bleeding with a cut or abrasion.
• Point rash on the skin, as well as the appearance of spider veins or reticulums.
• Periodic appearance of nosebleeds.
• Headaches.
• Bleeding of the mucous membrane of the gums.
• Acquisition of urine pink or red.
• The appearance of vomiting with blood or blackened feces.
• Abundant and too long periods during adolescence.

Parents should take their daughter or son to a doctor as soon as possible if:

• Cutting bleeding does not finish longer than 10 minutes.
• Bruises are often formed on the body, and their appearance occurs effortlessly.
• The child often complains of a severe headache.
• The urine of the child reddened.
• Feces acquired a dark color (turned black).

Tactics of the doctor will depend on the reason why the platelets in the child have dropped below normal. In most cases, after treating the underlying disease, for example, anemia, the platelet count is gradually restored.

With a severe decrease in platelets, the child should be in bed. If his mouth is bleeding, all food is given chilled. In the treatment of such a problem, immunoglobulins are used (they are administered intravenously), rutin, corticosteroid hormones, anti-rhesus serum and other drugs. If there is evidence, the platelet mass is transferred to the child from the donor or the spleen is removed.

If the platelets are lowered slightly, the doctor will recommend:

• Change the child's diet, adding to the diet foods that are high in iron, vitamins C and A.Children with thrombocytopenia are advised to give buckwheat porridge, meat dishes, beets, carrots, cabbage, apples, fish, parsley, olive oil, bananas, nuts and other products. From drinking watermelon, seaweed, cowberry, cranberries, strawberries, strawberries, and also tomato juice are advised to give up.
• Monitor physical activity. The child should have enough rest, sleep at least 10-12 hours a day, play quiet games.