What is the reason for low platelet distribution width?

A low platelet distribution width may be caused by bacterial infection, abnormal platelet count, antibody damage, or other reasons that lead to ineffective platelet growth and death. These reasons can all lead to a low platelet distribution width.

1. Bacterial infection

Some causes of chronic low platelet distribution width are related to bacterial infection, which is mainly caused by autoantibodies caused by antigenic changes in platelet structure, which can shorten the lifespan of platelets and change their function.

2. Decreased or ineffective platelet production leads to death

There are two causes of low platelet distribution width: hereditary and acquired. Acquired thrombocytopenia is caused by certain factors such as drugs, malignant tumors, infection, ionizing radiation, etc. that damage hematopoietic stem cells or affect their proliferation in the bone marrow.

3. Abnormal platelet count

The occurrence of thrombocytopenia is often accompanied by abnormal platelet function. For example, thrombasthenia and giant platelet syndrome are typical diseases of low platelet function.

4. Damage to platelet antibodies

Patients with low platelet distribution width have higher antiviral antibodies in their serum, and the platelet surface-related antibodies are significantly increased. At this time, it can be determined that the low platelet distribution width is caused by viral antigens.