Causes of thrombocytopenia in newborns
Neonatal thrombocytopenia may be caused by factors such as neonatal infection, hematological disorders, or abnormal platelet distribution.
1. Neonatal Infection
Newborns have relatively weak immune systems and immature organ development. Their respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts are susceptible to bacterial or viral infections. Severe infections can lead to coagulation dysfunction and excessive consumption of platelets, which often results in thrombocytopenia.
2. Hematological Disorders
If a newborn suffers from blood disorders such as aplastic anemia, leukemia, or immune thrombocytopenia, bone marrow hematopoietic function may become abnormal. When normal hematopoiesis is suppressed, it can lead to neonatal thrombocytopenia.
3. Abnormal Platelet Distribution
If a newborn is affected by parasitic infections, various bacterial or viral infections, or congenital hemolytic diseases, conditions such as hypersplenism or splenomegaly may develop. This can cause platelets to be sequestered in the spleen, thereby reducing the number of circulating platelets in the bloodstream.