Please confirm that you are not located inside the Russian Federation
The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site.
Enter search terms to find related medical topics, multimedia and more.
Mechanism
Examples
Bone marrow does not produce enough platelets
Leukemia Overview of Leukemia Leukemias are cancers of white blood cells or of cells that develop into white blood cells. White blood cells develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. Sometimes the development goes awry... read more
Lymphoma Overview of Lymphoma Lymphomas are cancers of lymphocytes, which reside in the lymphatic system and in blood-forming organs. Lymphomas are cancers of a specific type of white blood cells known as lymphocytes. These... read more
Aplastic anemia Aplastic Anemia Aplastic anemia is a disorder in which the cells of the bone marrow that develop into mature blood cells are damaged, leading to low numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, and/or platelets... read more
Heavy alcohol consumption
Vitamin deficiency anemias Vitamin Deficiency Anemia Vitamin deficiency anemia results from low or depleted levels of vitamin B12 or folate (folic acid). People may be weak, short of breath, and pale. Nerves may malfunction. Blood tests can detect... read more , including vitamin B12 and folate deficiency anemias
Some bone marrow disorders
Some chemotherapy drugs
Platelets become entrapped in an enlarged spleen Enlarged Spleen An enlarged spleen is not a disease in itself but the result of an underlying disorder. Many disorders can make the spleen enlarge. Many disorders, including infections, anemias, and cancers... read more
Cirrhosis of the liver Cirrhosis of the Liver Cirrhosis is the widespread distortion of the liver's internal structure that occurs when a large amount of normal liver tissue is permanently replaced with nonfunctioning scar tissue. The scar... read more that causes spleen enlargement due to abnormally high blood pressure in the large vein that brings blood from the intestine to the liver
Myelofibrosis Myelofibrosis Myelofibrosis is a disorder in which fibrous tissue in the bone marrow replaces the blood-producing cells, resulting in abnormally shaped red blood cells, anemia, and an enlarged spleen. Myelofibrosis... read more
Gaucher disease Gaucher Disease Gaucher disease is a type of lysosomal storage disorder called a sphingolipidosis. It is caused by a buildup of glucocerebrosides in tissues. Children who have the infantile form usually die... read more
Platelets become diluted
Massive red blood cell replacement or exchange transfusion; stored red blood cells do not contain very many platelets
Use or destruction of platelets increases
Immune thrombocytopenia Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder caused by decrease in the number of platelets (thrombocytes) that occurs in a person who does not have another disorder that affects platelets... read more
Hepatitis C virus infection Hepatitis C, Acute Acute hepatitis C is inflammation of the liver that is caused by the hepatitis C virus and that lasts from a few weeks up to 6 months. Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood or other... read more , HIV infection Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a viral infection that progressively destroys certain white blood cells and is treated with antiretroviral medications. If untreated, it can cause... read more and other viral infections Overview of Viral Infections A virus is composed of nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protein coat. It requires a living cell in which to multiply. A viral infection can lead to a spectrum of symptoms from... read more
Drugs such as heparin, quinine, many antibiotics (such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, rifampin, and vancomycin), and some oral drugs for diabetes
Conditions involving disseminated intravascular coagulation Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a condition in which small blood clots develop throughout the bloodstream, blocking small blood vessels. The increased clotting depletes the platelets... read more within blood vessels, as can occur with complications of childbirth, cancer, blood poisoning (septicemia) due to gram-negative bacteria, and traumatic brain damage
Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is partially or completely blocked. The heart muscle needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. The coronary... read more
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a serious disorder that involves the formation of small blood clots throughout the body that block the flow of blood to vital organs such as the... read more
Hemolytic-uremic syndrome Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS) Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious disorder that usually occurs in children and involves the formation of small blood clots throughout the body that block the flow of blood to vital... read more
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a group of disorders characterized by a malfunction of the immune system, resulting in the production of autoantibodies that attack red blood cells as if they... read more or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a group of disorders characterized by a malfunction of the immune system, resulting in the production of autoantibodies that attack red blood cells as if they... read more
Some vaccines, such as measles, mumps, and rubella, , influenza, hepatitis B, COVID-19
