Bleeding Disorders
Overview | Structural problems | Platelet deficiency | Coagulation factor deficiency | Tests | Treatment | Related Pages
Platelet deficiency (thrombocytopenia) or dysfunction
Inherited
A variety of other rare inherited conditions may cause platelet disorders.
Acquired:
- Bone marrow not producing enough platelets
- Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), autoimmune disease; may go away on its own
- Drugs such as quinine, sulfa antibiotics, and gold salts may decrease number of platelets.
- Drugs such as aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause dysfunctional platelets.
- Disease-related: HIV, liver disease, kidney failure, leukemia, multiple myeloma, cirrhosis of the liver, and systemic lupus erythematosus may all cause decreased platelet counts
- Massive blood replacement (platelet survival is limited in stored blood)
- Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (platelets are activated and become deficient and dysfunctional)
