Congenital platelet function defects
Key points
- Congenital platelet function defects are disorders of platelet function, the blood cells essential for the coagulation of the blood, that is present at birth.
- Congenital platelet function defects are bleeding disorders characterized by abnormal platelet function in spite of normal platelet counts.
- Other tests may be necessary, including the testing of relatives.
- There is no specific treatment for these disorders.
Alternative names
Storage pool disease; Glanzmann's thrombasthenia; Bernard-Soulier syndrome; Platelet function defects - congenital
Definition
Congenital platelet function defects are disorders of platelet function, the blood cells essential for the coagulation of the blood, that is present at birth.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Congenital platelet function defects are bleeding disorders characterized by abnormal platelet function in spite of normal platelet counts. There is usually a family history of a bleeding disorder consisting of prolonged bleeding or easy bruising.
Bernard-Soulier syndrome is a congenital disorder where the platelets lack receptors to adhere to the walls of the blood vessels. Bleeding may be severe with this disorder.
Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is a condition caused by lack of a protein required for platelet aggregation (clumping) This disorder may cause mucosal and postoperative bleeding, and it may also be severe.
Storage pool disease is a mild bleeding disorder that causes bruising. The risk factor is a family history of a bleeding disorder.
Symptoms
- Nosebleeds
- Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding
- Easy bruising
- Prolonged bleeding with superficial injuries
- Menstrual periods, abnormal
- Bleeding gums
Signs and tests
- CBC that may reveal normal, or occasionally low, platelet count
- Prolonged bleeding time
- Platelet aggregation test
- Normal PT, PTT
Other tests may be necessary, including the testing of relatives.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for these disorders. All people with bleeding disorders should avoid taking aspirin because it is known to prolong the bleeding time (the time it takes to form clotting mechanisms in the blood). Platelet transfusions may be administered when patients have severe bleeding.
Expectations (prognosis)
Treatment can usually control the bleeding, but these are lifelong conditions for which there is no cure. Precautions to avoid catastrophic bleeding should be taken.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
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