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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2010 Feb 1.
Published in final edited form as: Semin Perinatol. 2009 Feb;33(1):43–51. doi: 10.1053/j.semperi.2008.10.008

Table 2.

Mechanisms of thrombocytopenia based on different tests of thrombopoiesis.

Tpo CMPs RP% RP Count Interpretation
NL ↓ ↓ ↓↓ Decreased platelet production secondary to low Tpo:

  • Liver failure

  • Some anti-Tpo neutralizing antibodies
↑↑↑ ↓ ↓ ↓↓ Decreased platelet production secondary to decreased marrow megakaryocytes:

  • CAMT

  • Aplastic anemia

  • Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓↓ Ineffective platelet production:

  • HIV infection
↑↑ ↑ ↑ ↓ to NL Thrombocytopenia due to increased platelet consumption with inflammation (Tpo up-regulation):

  • Sepsis

  • NEC
NL to slightly ↑ ↑ ↑ ↓ to NL Thrombocytopenia due to immune-mediated platelet consumption:

  • ITP

NL=Normal; CAMT=Congenital Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia; HIV=Human Immunodeficiency Virus; ITP=Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura; NEC=Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Adapted from: Brown et al., Effects of sepsis on neonatal thrombopoiesis. Pediatric Research 2008. Reprinted with permission