A Case of Ipt

A Case of IPT 1. How and where are platelets produced in the body? Platelets are produced in the bone marrow from very large bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes. As megakaryocytes develop into giant cells, they undergo a process of fragmentation that results in the release of over 1,000 platelets per megakaryocyte. 2. Describe the role played by platelets in hemostasis. Platelets maintain the endothelial surface. Loss of circulating platelets quickly results in changes in the endothelial cells of the capillaries.These changes cause intravascular material to leak into the capillary bed. Platelets initially arrest bleeding in severed blood vessels. Platelets provide phospholipids, which acts as the catalytic surface for initiation of the coagulation process that played by platelets in hemostasis. 3. Define thrombocytopenia and list the more common causes of this condition. Thrombocytopenia is a blood disease characterized by an abnormally low number of platelets in the bloodstream. Abnormal reductions in the number of platelets are caused when abnormalities occur in any of the following three processes: decreased platelet production by the bone marrow; increased trapping of platelets by the spleen; or a more rapid than normal destruction of platelets. People with this condition easily bruise and can have episodes of excess bleeding. 4. What are the potential consequences of a low platelet count? Your blood would not clot as well in the event of an injury, and you could bleed to death without medical intervention. . What drugs have been associated with the development of thrombocytopenia? Some of the drugs associated with the development of Thrombocytopenia are Sulfonylurea drugs, Benzodiazepines like Diazepam and Anti-epileptic drugs like Carbamazepine. 6. How is thrombocytopenia treated in individuals diagnosed with the condition? The type of treatment you get would depend on the severity of the case, but some of the possible treatments are blood or platelet transfusions, steroids, immunoglobulin, and a splenectomy. . How might removal of the spleen (splenectomy) result in an increase in the number of circulating platelets? The spleen is supposed to remove antibodies from RBCs, so without the production of antibodies, the number of platelets should increase. 8. What is Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)? ITP is a bleeding disorder where blood doesn’t clot as well as it should due to a low number of platelets. Source: National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science