title: Platelet disorders in children: A diagnostic approach.
abstract: The investigation of children with suspected inherited platelet disorders is challenging. The causes of mucocutaneous bleeding are many, and specialized testing for platelet disorders can be difficult to access or interpret. An algorithm developed for the investigation of suspected platelet disorders provides a sequential approach to evaluating both platelet function abnormalities and thrombocytopenia. Investigation begins with a clinical evaluation and laboratory testing that is generally available, including platelet counting, peripheral blood cell morphology, and aggregometry. Based on results of initial investigations, the algorithm recommends specialized testing for specific diagnoses, including flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, and mutational analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. israels@cc.umanitoba.ca
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Israels
authors.forename: Walter H A
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Kahr
authors.forename: Victor S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Blanchette
authors.forename: Naomi L C
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Luban
authors.forename: Georges E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Rivard
authors.forename: Margaret L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rand
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis; D001791:Blood Platelet Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D010979:Platelet Function Tests; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; C037685:platelet factor V