Thrombocytopenia refers to a low blood platelet count. Platelets contribute to blood's ability to clot. When platelet counts are too low, it can cause abnormal bleeding, according to MedlinePlus. Several types of thrombocytopenia are common in infants, including neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, which results from incompatible blood antigens between the baby and its mother, and autoimmune thrombocytopenia, which results when maternal antibodies attack the baby's platelets. Infections, illnesses and genetic factors can also cause the condition.
Petechiae
Petechiae--the presence of small reddish or purplish dots on the skin--is a common sign of thrombocytopenia in an infant. In cases of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, 80 percent of babies will have petechiae on the skin, according to the University of Washington.
Bruising
Babies with a low platelet count may also seem to bruise easily, according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. However, bruising is not always a sign of thrombocytopenia. If you are concerned about bruising you see on your baby, contact his pediatrician.
Internal Bleeding
Because a low platelet count can interfere with blood's clotting ability, abnormal bleeding can result. In some cases, internal bleeding involving bodily organs signals thrombocytopenia. For example, both autoimmune thrombocytopenia and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia can cause brain hemorrhages, according to the University of Washington. Nosebleeds and bleeding in the mouth can also signify a low platelet count.
Jaundice
Some babies with a low platelet count will develop jaundice, according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. When babies have jaundice, their skin develops a yellowish hue and the whites of their eyes can also appear yellow. Jaundice does not always signify thrombocytopenia, however. If your baby develops jaundice, report it to her pediatrician immediately.
