title: The etiology of thrombocytopenia.
abstract: Hemostasis depends on an adequate number of well-functioning platelets in the circulating blood; decreasing platelet levels raise the risk for bleeding. Thrombocytopenia is a laboratory finding, not a diagnosis, and once identified, a detailed history, physical examination, and further laboratory tests are used to establish an etiology. This article reviews the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of thrombocytopenia.
authors.affiliation: Regional Cancer Center, Erie, PA, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Horrell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rothman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006971:Hypersplenism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin