This is class 107's biology blog. Please refrain from using inappropriate terms. Instead, use proper ENGLISH.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Thrombocytopenia Groupwork

What is it?
Thrombocytopenia,also called -paenia or thrombopenia for short,is a condition where there are insufficient numbers of platelets in the body.

What causes it?
1)Lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid
2)Leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome
3)Decreased production of thrombopoietin by the liver caused by liver failure
4)Sepsis,systemic viral or bacterial infection
5)Dengue fever,through direct infection of bone marrow megakaryocytes as well as immunological shortened platelet survival
Hereditary syndromes:
6)Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT)
7)Thrombocytopenia absent radius syndrome
8)Fanconi anemia
9)Bernard-soulier syndrome, associated with large platelets
10)May Hegglin anomaly, the combination of thrombocytopenia, pale-blue leuckocyte inclusions, and giant platelets
11)Grey platelet syndrome
12)Alport syndrome

Symptoms?
1)Sometimes,there may be bruising,particularly purpura in the forearms,nosebleeds and/or bleeding gums.
2)Sudden onset of petechiae(a small or purple spot caused by bleeding into the skin) and ecchymoses(a discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath,typically caused by bruising)
3)Malaise,fatigue and general weakness(with or without accompanying blood loss)
4)Bleeding(petechiae or ecchymoses),along with slow,continuous bleeding from any injuries or wounds
5)Adults may have large,blood-filled bullae(a bubble-like cavity filled with air or fluid) in the mouth
6)Platelet count between 30 000 and 50 000/mm3:bruising with minor trauma
7)Between 15 000 and 30 000/mm3:spontaneous bruising will be seen(mostly on the arms and legs)

Cures?
Thrombocytopenia cures:
1)Ensuring that the low platelet count is not due to a secondary process is necessary
2)Ensuring that the other cell types like red blood cells and white blood cells are not also suppressed is also important
3)Laboratory tests might include:
Full blood count
Liver enzymes
Renal function
Vitamin B12 levels
Folic acid levels
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Peripheral blood smear
4)If the cause for low platelet count is unclear,bone marrow biopsy is often undertaken,to see if the low platelet count is due due to either decreased production or peripheral destruction
5)Drug-induced: removal of the offending agents should correct the condition

6)Corticosteroids: used to increase platelet production.

7)Lithium carbonate or folate: used to stimulate the bone marrow production of platelets

8)Platelet transfusions: used to stop episodic abnormal bleeding caused by a low platelet count


(if platelet destruction results from an immune disorder, platelet infusions may have only a minimal effect and may be reserved for life-threatening bleeding.)

9)Splenectomy: may be necessary to correct thrombocytopenia caused by platelet destruction (A splenectomy should significantly reduce platelet destruction because the spleen acts as the primary site of platelet removal and antibody production.)


10)(Patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) may require high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin. Patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) will probably require large-volume plasmapheresis (plasma exchange).)



Group Members:

Dionne Choo Tsi Min

Chua Zong Wei

Michelle Loh Wan Ping

Tam Wai Hang

Tang Wen Yue


17 comments:

  1. I have learnt that

    1. The lack of vitamin B12 can cause thrombocytopenia
    2. Insufficient numbers of platelets in the body will cause thrombocytopenia.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1. I learnt that lack of B12 causes Thrombocytopenia.

    2. Some of the symptoms are bleeding in places such as the gums and nosebleeds.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've learned that...

    1) Lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid causes thrombocytopenia

    2) ensuring that the other cell types like red blood cells and white blood cells are not also suppressed is also important.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have learnt that Thrombocytopenia can cause a lot of damage to the human body.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've learnt that there is a disease that affects the platelet count, which is Thrombocytopenia.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 1. I've learnt that a lack of vitamins alone can cause a serious disease.
    2. I've learnt that the symptoms of the thrombocytopenia disease are having non-stop bleeding whenever there is a cut or bruise.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have learnt that there are many cures for Thrombocytopenia.

    ReplyDelete
  8. 1) I learnt that Thrombocytopenia is a condition where there are insufficient numbers of platelets in the body.

    2) Thrombocytopenia is caused by Leukemia.

    ReplyDelete
  9. 1. I've learnt that the number of platelets in the body is affected by the liver.
    2. I've learnt that it is important that there should be enough platelets in the body in order not to have unnecessary bleeding.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I 've learnt that
    1. Thrombocytopenia is caused by the lack of vitamin B12.
    2. Thrombocytopenia is a disease where that is a low number of platelets.

    ReplyDelete
  11. 1) I have learnt that although there are many causes of thrombocytopenia, it has many symptoms which are noticeable and many cures.
    2) I have learnt that the symptoms shown are serious and dangerous and may result in death.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've learnt that it is a condition when there is insufficient numbers of platelets in the body.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I learnt that folic acid causes thrombocytopenia.
    I learnt that thrombocytopenia is caused by the lack of platelets.

    ReplyDelete
  14. 1) I learnt that Thrombocytopenia can be easily got as there are many causes.
    2) I learnt that blood is important to the body.

    ReplyDelete
  15. 1. There are many causes and cures of thrombocytopenia.
    2. Is caused by lack of platelets.

    Darius Low

    ReplyDelete
  16. platelets are also important to maintain balance in the blood

    ReplyDelete
  17. Have I learnt that the number of platelets in our body is very important. Without sufficient of it, Thrombocytopenia occurs. And also there is cure for it which I thought all blood illness is like chronicle/terminal.

    ReplyDelete