Blood: 4. Platelet disorders

Question 1

Essential thrombocythaemia (ET)

Answer 1

Rare blood disorder that causes a high number of platlets to form

Question 2

Acquired or immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Answer 2

Rare disorder caused by the immune system preventing the enzyme, ADAMTS13, from working properly. Without this enzyme, many blood clots are formed.

acquired - developed secondary to another disease
immune - born with disease

Question 3

Acquired or immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura symptoms

Answer 3

symptoms:

• flat, red spots under skin caused by leaky blood vessels
• paleness, jaundice
• fever
• extreme tiredness
• purpura

Question 4

Immune thromocytopenic purpura treatment

Answer 4

Initially treated with a corticosteroid such as prednisolone