Abstract
Although platelet transfusions are commonly given to children and adults as treatment for bleeding due to thrombocytopenia, their use as a diagnostic tool in newborn infants is infrequent. We have infused platelets into 4 infants with marked thrombocytopenia at birth in an attempt to obtain information of diagnostic value and to prevent or treat bleeding. Platelets were obtained from a liter of whole blood by plasmapheresis of a single donor. The platelets were infused in a small volume of plasma and peripheral counts were monitored.
An infant with cytomegalic inclusion disease and one with absent radii had only rare marrow megakaryocytes. In both there was an excellent response to platelet transfusions with normal platelet survival. Two other infants with numerous megakaryocytes on bone marrow examination did not respond to random donor platelets. The mother of one child was subsequently found to have chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia, presumably causing the observed random platelet destruction in her infant. In the other child maternal platelets produced an excellent response, while paternal platelets did not, indicating specific immune destruction.
Platelet transfusions are of value in differentiating peripheral destruction from decreased production in the newborn. In addition, platelet transfusions may be used safely at this age to treat and prevent life-threatening hemorrhage.
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Gill, F., Schwartz, E. & Brent, R. Platelet transfusion as a diagnostic and therapeutic aid in the newborn. Pediatr Res 5, 409 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00159
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00159
