Platelet function in term and preterm neonates.
Platelet dysfunction likely contributes to the pathophysiology of catastrophic hemorrhages in preterm neonates. In vitro studies have demonstrated that platelets of both term and preterm neonates are hyporesponsive to a variety of agonists. In contrast,template bleeding times of term neonates are shorter than those from adults. Very little is known about this and other tests of primary hemostasis in premature and sick neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This article covers the current knowledge of platelet function in preterm and term neonates and review show new agents (such as recombinant thrombopoietin and recombinant factor VIIa) may enhance neonatal platelet function.
Saxonhouse
Matthew A
MA
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, College of Medicine, P.O. Box 100296, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. saxonma@peds.ufl.edu
Sola
Martha C
MC
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015942:Factor VIIa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D010979:Platelet Function Tests; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013926:Thrombopoietin; D015942:Factor VIIa