Mechanism of Thrombocytopenia in Infants
Mechanism of Thrombocytopenia in Infants
This research project is studying the causes for low platelet levels in preterm infants.
 Platelets are a component of blood that helps with clotting. The purpose of this study is to
 determine whether the cause for low platelet levels is the same in infants who are born to
 mothers with preeclampsia and infants who are small for gestational age.
Thrombocytopenia is a common entity in infants who are born to mothers with preeclampsia and
 in infants who are small for gestational age. There have been several theories to the
 mechanism underlying thrombocytopenia in these groups of patients. One mechanism suggests
 that thrombocytopenia in these populations may be secondary to underproduction of platelets.
 Other studies have implied that low platelet levels may be due to endothelial activation
 causing platelet consumption. This study is being performed to help determine the mechanism
 causing thrombocytopenia in infants born to mothers with preeclampsia and comparing it to the
 mechanism of thrombocytopenia in infants who are small for gestational age.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Infants who are less than 34 weeks gestation

 -  Infants born to mothers with preeclampsia

 -  Infants who are born small for gestational age whose mother did not have preeclampsia

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Infants who are greater than 34 weeks gestation

 -  Infants with known congenital anomalies or known congenital infections