title: Reduction of platelet counts induced by mechanical ventilation in newborn infants.
abstract: The association between platelet counts and mechanical ventilation was assessed in 61 newborn infants with respiratory distress syndrome, 10 infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and 10 infants with tracheoesophageal fistula. A significant decrease in platelet counts was observed during mechanical ventilation: (mean +/- SD) reduction of 39% +/- 5%, 42% +/- 5.6%, and 11.9% +/- 5.4% in the three groups, respectively, independent of other causes. In the group with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, there was a significant correlation between mean airway pressure and the reduction in platelet counts. In a subsequent series of experiments, platelet counts were recorded before and during ventilation in rabbits. A significant mean decrease of 37.3% in platelet counts was associated with ventilation with either air or pure oxygen. Results of these studies indicate that mechanical ventilation itself may cause a major decrease in platelet count in newborn infants.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D011817:Rabbits; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology*; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000628:therapy