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Low platelet count in a 4 year old - ever something sinister? Anyone know about ITP?

4 replies

Jackaroo · 16/03/2010 10:03

We went to A&E on advice last week, as DS1 had a scary looking purple splodgy "rash" on his face and neck. He also had a virus with normal cold-like symptoms.

Of course it wasn't meningitis (well, not of course, but thank goodness), but the doctors were concerned that he got like that.

They think that he got it when he was sick (once) the night before, and that it caused petechial haemorraghing ( am sure that's not sp right) - ie his platelet count is low and he bleed because of the force of the being sick.

They wanted to do a blood test, but DS was very upset, and we'd been there an awfully long time. I asked if we could do it another time, so we're having itdone tomorrow.

Mm. I suppose at the imte I didn't take it in, it was a pretty horrible 24 hours altogether, but am now allowing myself to worry.

Is this a problem? I've found ITP is one possible cause, but mostly just says it resolves by itself. Will I be kicking myself for delaying a week?

thanks

OP posts:
Jackaroo · 16/03/2010 12:07

timid bump before I go to bed here in Oz....

OP posts:
purplewednesday · 20/03/2010 18:53

Haven't logged on for a while and just seen your query.

Idiopathic / Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura means that the body doesn't make enough platelets which are needed for blood clotting.

People can develop low platelet counts as a result of a nasty viral infection - doesn't happen that commonly but i have seen it. If this is the case it will resolve by itself tho' may take a little while.

People can live quite happily with low platelets, but grazed knees / nosebleeds etc may take longer to stop; no other measures than normal first aid are needed. If platelet counts stay persistently very low then treatment may be needed.

You're bound to worry cos thats normal, but don't lose sleep or anything about this!!

Let me know how you get on

sarah293 · 20/03/2010 18:59

This reply has been deleted

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scaryteacher · 23/03/2010 11:31

I've had ITP since I was 29 and am now 44.

A normal platelet count is 150-450 (or that's how the docs explain it). Mine varies between 30 and 85; it goes down when I get a virus.

Mine is chronic (I'll never get rid of it), but for kids all the research suggests that their platelet count bobs back up fairly quickly.

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