Semin Thromb Hemost 2009; 35(2): 181-188
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1220326
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Diagnostic Evaluation of Platelet Function Disorders in Neonates and Children: An Update

Sara J. Israels1 , 2 , 3
  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
  • 2The Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
  • 3Haemostasis Laboratory, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
30 April 2009 (online)

ABSTRACT

Investigation of platelet function disorders in infants and small children requires the collaborative efforts of clinicians and clinical laboratories. A detailed personal, family, and medication history, and a search for additional clinical phenomena may help to direct diagnostic laboratory investigations. Testing for these disorders in young children presents several challenges: the requirement of relatively large volumes of blood, lack of standardization, and the absence of well-established age-specific reference ranges. Neonates show the most notable differences in platelet function compared to older children and adults; the decreased platelet activation responses persist for the first 2 to 4 weeks after delivery. Small studies of normal postneonatal pediatric populations have provided data on platelet function assays, including bleeding times, PFA-100 closure times, thromboelastography, aggregation, secretion, and flow cytometry. The majority of these studies, comparing normal children with adults, found only minor differences in platelet responses measured by these assays.

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Dr. Sara J Israels

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba

675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3E 0V9

Email: israels@cc.umanitoba.ca