What causes low platelets?

There are certainly reasons for low platelet count. The most common ones include decreased platelet production, increased platelet destruction caused by non-immune factors, hereditary anemia, congenital valve malformations, and amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia.

1. Decreased platelet production

(1) Hereditary: such as Fanconi anemia, congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia and May-Hegglin anomaly.

(2) Acquired: aplastic anemia, bone marrow infiltration (malignant tumor bone marrow metastasis, leukemia, myelofibrosis, tuberculosis), chemotherapy drugs, radiation, megakaryocytic aplasia, viral infection (measles, mumps), drugs that affect platelet production (such as alcohol), vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency.

2. Increased platelet destruction caused by non-immune factors

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, pregnancy, infection, hemangioma-thrombocytopenia syndrome, snake bites, acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe burns, etc.

3. Increased platelet destruction caused by immune factors

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura, HIV infection, cyclical thrombocytopenia, drug-induced thrombocytopenia (heparin, quinine, quinidine, antipyretic analgesics, penicillin, cephalosporin antibiotics, rifampicin, furosemide, carbamazepine, sodium valproate, sulfonylurea hypoglycemic drugs and phenytoin sodium, etc.), post-transfusion thrombocytopenia.