  Mechanism Generally, there is a decrease in platelet count in pregnant women and it will be due to many reasons. The two main causes of thrombocytopenia are a decrease in the production of platelets in the bone marrow and an increase in the destruction of the platelets. Platelets, along with other components of the blood, are produced in the spongy tissue found in the bone, known as bone marrow. Low platelet count maybe due to the decreased production of platelets in the bone marrow. A decreased production would be due to vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency, aplastic anemia, viral infections, chemotherapy, alcohol consumption, leukemia, myelodysplasia, and cirrhosis. During pregnancy, the fetus’ waste products diffuse into the mother’s sinuses (blood stream), and cause the mother's spleen to become overactive and enlarged. Normally, the spleen filters and removes the waste products and with the overload of unwanted substances in the bloodstream, the spleen will remove blood cells too quickly or store the platelets. In both cases, the overactive spleen would cause a decrease in the circulation of the platelets. Symptoms Although there are no alarming symptoms related to gestational thrombocytopenia, an individual with thrombocytopenia might show the following symptoms – Nose bleeds Gums bleeding Blood in urine/stool Easily bruised Enlarged spleen Jaundice Continuous bleeding due to cuts Heavy menstrual flow Rash-like spots (petechiae), mainly on the lower legs Causes%DIFDELCMD < %DIFDELCMD < %%% It is evident that there is a decrease in platelet count during pregnancy, however the cause of the decrease is unknown. However researchers theorize that the decrease in platelet count is due to the decreased production of platelets and/or increased destruction of platelets. Prevention%DIFDELCMD < %DIFDELCMD < %%% There is no known information regarding the prevention of this disorder. There is no known information regarding the group of women who are likely to be diagnosed with this disorder. Diagnosis Gestational thrombocytopenia will become evident during the mid-second trimester through the third trimester of pregnancy and it is diagnosed based on exclusion. For example, women with a history of immune thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopenia, prior to pregnancy, will not be diagnosed with gestational thrombocytopenia. Treatment and Prognosis  
Signs and symptoms Although there are no alarming symptoms related to gestational thrombocytopenia, an individual with thrombocytopenia might show the following symptoms – Nose bleeds Gums bleeding Blood in urine/stool Easily bruised Enlarged spleen Jaundice Continuous bleeding due to cuts Heavy menstrual flow Rash-like spots (petechiae), mainly on the lower legs Causes It is evident that there is a decrease in platelet count during pregnancy, however the cause of the decrease is unknown. However researchers theorize that the decrease in platelet count is due to the decreased production of platelets and/or increased destruction of platelets. Mechanism Generally, there is a decrease in platelet count in pregnant women and it will be due to many reasons. The two main causes of thrombocytopenia are a decrease in the production of platelets in the bone marrow and an increase in the destruction of the platelets. Platelets, along with other components of the blood, are produced in the spongy tissue found in the bone, known as bone marrow. Low platelet count maybe due to the decreased production of platelets in the bone marrow. A decreased production would be due to vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency, aplastic anemia, viral infections, chemotherapy, alcohol consumption, leukemia, myelodysplasia, and cirrhosis. During pregnancy, the fetus’ waste products diffuse into the mother’s sinuses (blood stream), and cause the mother's spleen to become overactive and enlarged. Normally, the spleen filters and removes the waste products and with the overload of unwanted substances in the bloodstream, the spleen will remove blood cells too quickly or store the platelets. In both cases, the overactive spleen would cause a decrease in the circulation of the platelets. %DIFDELCMD < %DIFDELCMD < %%% %DIFDELCMD < %DIFDELCMD < %%% Diagnosis Gestational thrombocytopenia will become evident during the mid-second trimester through the third trimester of pregnancy and it is diagnosed based on exclusion. For example, women with a history of immune thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopenia, prior to pregnancy, will not be diagnosed with gestational thrombocytopenia. Prevention There is no known information regarding the prevention of this disorder. There is no known information regarding the group of women who are likely to be diagnosed with this disorder.
A
Signs and symptoms Although there are no alarming symptoms related to gestational thrombocytopenia, an individual with thrombocytopenia might show the following symptoms – Nose bleeds Gums bleeding Blood in urine/stool Easily bruised Enlarged spleen Jaundice Continuous bleeding due to cuts Heavy menstrual flow Rash-like spots (petechiae), mainly on the lower legs
A
Causes It is evident that there is a decrease in platelet count during pregnancy, however the cause of the decrease is unknown. However researchers theorize that the decrease in platelet count is due to the decreased production of platelets and/or increased destruction of platelets.
D
Symptoms Although there are no alarming symptoms related to gestational thrombocytopenia, an individual with thrombocytopenia might show the following symptoms – Nose bleeds Gums bleeding Blood in urine/stool Easily bruised Enlarged spleen Jaundice Continuous bleeding due to cuts Heavy menstrual flow Rash-like spots (petechiae), mainly on the lower legs
D
Causes
D
It is evident that there is a decrease in platelet count during pregnancy, however the cause of the decrease is unknown. However researchers theorize that the decrease in platelet count is due to the decreased production of platelets and/or increased destruction of platelets.
D
Prevention
D
There is no known information regarding the prevention of this disorder.
D
There is no known information regarding the group of women who are likely to be diagnosed with this disorder.
R
Treatment and Prognosis
Prevention
A
There is no known information regarding the prevention of this disorder.
A
There is no known information regarding the group of women who are likely to be diagnosed with this disorder.