A Case of Itp Case Study

1. How and where are platelets produced in the body? Platelets are known as thrombocytes and are produced in red bone marrow. They are stimulated when a blood vessel becomes injured and breaks. Platelets are responsible for clotting a vessel to stop the body from losing all of its blood. 2. Describe the role played by platelets in hemostasis. Hemostatis involves constriction of blood vessels, activity of platelets, and activity of blood clotting factors. Platelets work together with other blood proteins to form fibrin.
The fibrin forms a net that traps blood cells in order to create a clot. The clotting balanced by the clotting that is stopped when the vessel is healed 3. Define thrombocytopenia and list the more common causes of this condition. Thrombocytopenia is a shortage of thrombocytes which can be caused by many different diseases, such as: leukemia, HIV, myelofibrosis, Gaucher’s disease, or immense blood transfusions. 4. What are the potential consequences of a low platelet count?
Difficulty to cease bleeding is a major consequence. Symptoms such as skin bleeding, petechiae, huge bruises from slight injuries, bleeding gums, blood in stool or urine, and intense menstrual periods are all consequences of having a low platelet count. 5. What drugs have been associated with the development of thrombocytopenia? Heparin, quinidine, quinine, sulfa-containing antibiotics, and some oral drugs for diabetes, rifampin and gold salts are all drugs that are associated with thrombocytopenia. . How is thrombocytopenia treated in individuals diagnosed with the condition? If it is caused by a drug, then discontinued use is recommended. Corticosteroids or intravenous immune globulin can be used to temporarily block the effects that destroy platelets. The spleen can also be surgically removed or the patient can receive plasma transfusions. 7. How might removal of the spleen (splenectomy) result in an increase in the number of circulating platelets?

The spleen’s function is to remove antibodies. If the spleen is removed, there will not be a production of protective antibodies aimed at the autoantibody and platelets will increase. 8. What is Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)? ITP is a bleeding disorder brought about by thrombocytopenia, but it is not connected with a general disease. Most of the time, it is chronic in adults and acute in children. It results from antibody development aimed at an autoantibody.