Platelets or thrombocytes are blood cells that are necessary for blood clotting. Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which there is abnormally low platelets in the blood. Common causes of thrombocytopenia in babies include infections, reduced production of platelets in the bone marrow, trapping of platelets in an enlarged spleen and premature destruction of platelets, according Children's Hospital Boston. If your baby has thrombocytopenia, he may develop abnormal bleeding.
Symptoms
Symptoms of abnormal bleeding in your baby include easy bruising, prolonged bleeding from minor injuries, frequent nosebleeds, red spots on the skin called petechiae, bleeding from the mouth and gums, bloody vomits, bloody urine, blood in stools and jaundice, according to PubMedHealth. Consult your pediatrician if you notice these symptoms in your baby. If your baby is not treated for thrombocytopenia, he may develop bleeding in the brain, which may lead to stroke and death.
Treatment
Treatment of thrombocytopenia in your baby will depend on the cause of the condition and your baby's tolerance for specific medications or therapies, notes Children's Hospital Boston. If your pediatrician can identify the condition that is causing thrombocytopenia, treating that cause may improve signs and symptoms. If your baby has severe bleeding, he may require a transfusion of platelets to stop bleeding.
Activities
If your baby has thrombocytopenia, protect him from physical activities that can cause body injury or falls. Minor or major injuries can cause abnormal internal bleeding in your baby, which you may fail to notice. Dress the baby with protective clothing especially when he is playing. Supervise the baby as he plays. If your baby falls or bumps his body against a hard item, take him to the hospital for examination.
Jaundice
Jaundice can be a sign of abnormal bleeding in your baby. When the baby's body lacks platelets, there may be spontaneous bleeding in tissues. When this bleeding occurs, red blood cells break down and produce a substance called bilirubin. Build up of bilirubin in the body causes jaundice. Consult your pediatrician if your baby's skin and eyelids turn yellow.
