What is the cause of high platelet count in newborns?

Platelets play an important role in the human body. The platelet count of a normal person is at a normal value. If it exceeds this normal value, it may indicate that there is a problem with the human body; if it is lower than this normal value, then the patient may also have a problem with his body. Why is it that a newborn baby has high platelet count? Could it be that the baby has some disease?

1. The normal platelet count is 100~300. If the baby's platelet count is high, it is mostly reactive thrombocytosis, which is common in acute and chronic inflammation, iron deficiency anemia, etc. This type of increase usually does not exceed 500. After treatment, the platelet count will quickly return to normal levels.

The baby's hemoglobin is low, which is a sign of anemia. It is recommended to clarify the cause and type of anemia. If it is iron deficiency anemia (microcytic hypochromic anemia), then a slight increase in platelets is mostly related to iron deficiency anemia, which causes enhanced bone marrow hematopoietic function. As long as the anemia is treated and corrected, the platelets will return to normal. In addition, check whether there is acute or chronic inflammation or infection, which can also cause increased platelet count.

2. A platelet count of more than 400 is called thrombocytosis. Primary increase is seen in myeloproliferative diseases, such as chronic myeloid leukemia, polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia, early myelofibrosis, etc. Secondary increase is seen in acute infection, acute hemolysis, and some tumors, but is usually below 500.

High platelet counts should rule out the following diseases: Essential thrombocythemia.

Treatment: Platelet removal; oral or intravenous radioactive P32; chemotherapy. Secondary (reactive) thrombocythemia: The most common causes are bleeding, tissue inflammation and necrosis, malignancy, iron deficiency, post-splenectomy, Kawasaki disease, etc.

Diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease:

Diagnostic criteria: In addition to elevated platelet count, there are also: fever for more than 5 days; bilateral conjunctival congestion; straw tongue, chapped lips; rash; swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Treatment: large amounts of intravenous immunoglobulin and long-term use of aspirin.

High platelet count in a newborn may indicate that the newborn has some congenital disease. However, a single examination of a newborn does not reveal anything. If you want to confirm whether the newborn really has a blood disease, you need to conduct multiple tests to confirm the diagnosis. If a newborn has high platelet count, it can usually be treated with medication, which can effectively control the platelet count.