Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal

Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal



Basic Information image



Definition


Loss of blood platelets in newborn foals as a result of destruction by maternal antibodies



Synonym(s)


Alloimmune thrombocytopenia of neonates



Epidemiology



Species, Age, Sex




• Occurs in foals from multiparous mares


• Usually first seen in third and fourth foals



Clinical Presentation



History, Chief Complaint




• Depression


• Failure to suckle


• Multiple sites of small vessel bleeding


• Rapidly developing anemia


• Prolonged excessive bleeding from the umbilical stump


• Obvious bruising or hematoma formation



Etiology and Pathophysiology




• Mares make antibodies against paternal platelet antigens during foaling or pregnancy.


• Multiple foalings boost antibody levels. These antibodies are concentrated in mares’ colostrum and ingested by foals.


• Antibodies ingested by foals destroy their lymphocytes, preventing blood coagulation.



Diagnosis image




• Clinical diagnosis usually apparent


• Small-vessel hemorrhagic diathesis


• Severe thrombocytopenia with no evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)



Differential Diagnosis




• Warfarin poisoning


• Neonatal sepsis


• Neonatal isoerythrolysis



Initial Database




• Complete blood count, hematocrit


• Severe thrombocytopenia (<40,000/µL)


• Prolonged bleeding time


• Abnormal clot retraction


• Anemia accompanied by hypoproteinemia

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Related posts:

  1. Codocytes
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  3. Albumin
  4. Protein-Losing Nephropathy

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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal

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