The Effects of Thrombocytopenia in Women

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“Children are our most valuable resource and are our future,” according to Herbert Hoover. In order to have children, we must have healthy mothers to bear and deliver those children. Pregnancy is, of course, a difficult time with physical changes and discomfort. However, sometimes pregnancy also brings life threatening physical changes for the mother. One of these is Thrombocytopenia, a disorder related to a low platelets count. It affects many women during the pregnancy. If not treated, it can cause preeclampsia and lead to death to the mother or fetus. Human reproduction is necessary for the continuation of the human race, but thrombocytopenia threatens the continued health of mothers. This makes thrombocytopenia very important and necessary disorder to study and investigate.
What is Thrombocytopenia?
Thrombocytopenia affects 6% to 10% of all pregnant women and, other than anemia, is the most common hematologic disorder in pregnancy (McCrae, 2010). The blood consists of three main ingredients: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Each plays an essential function to provide the human body with elements and protects the body against any exterior viral and infection. Platelets are responsible to help blood to clot. The deficiency or disorder of platelets lead to disease called Thrombocytopenia. This issue is diagnosed when platelets are less than 150,000 platelets per microliter of blood (Erkurt, et. al, 2012).
Thrombocytopenia is divided into three different stages by the number of platelets: mild (100,000-150,000/micro l), moderate (50,000-100,000/micro l) and severe (< 50,000/micro l) (Erkurt, et. al, 2012). It effects all ages and especially pregnant woman.
Symptoms and Causes
Thrombocytopenia leads to excessive ...

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... in place in delivery rooms to better sterilize the environment to eliminate viruses and infection which would further risk bleeding for mother or infant and thus lead to increased time in the NICU.

Works Cited

Erkurt, M.A., Kaya, E., Berber, I., Koroglu, M., Kuku,I. (June 2012). “Thrombocytopenia in
Adults: Review Article.” Journal of Hematology: Vol. 1, No. 2-3
Cohen, R., Garcia, C.A., Mena, D., Castellanos, M., Wu L.T. (April 2012). “Case Review: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura.” Journal of Medical Cases: Vol. 3, No. 2.
McCrae, R.K. (December 4, 2010). “Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy.” ASH Education Program Book: doi: 10.1182/asheducation-2010.1.397 vol. 2010 no. 1 397-402
Rajasekhar, A. MD, Gernsheimer, T., MD, Stasi, R., MD, James, A.H., MD (2013). American Society of Hematology: Quick reference: Clinical Practice Guide on Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy.

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