Neonatal thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Thrombocytopenia is very common in neonates. Severity may vary with the causes, which may be immune or non-immune. While thrombocytopenia in sick infants often needs only supportive care, thrombocytopenia in otherwise well infants requires immediate investigation and management. Fetal maternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FMAIT) is a common cause of severe thrombocytopenia in otherwise well babies and has a significant risk of intracerebral haemorrhage if not treated promptly. There are a variety of congenital syndromes that are associated with thrombocytopenia in the neonate, and a stepwise logical approach to diagnosis and therapy is required.