It occurs when platelets fall below the normal range of 150–400×10^9 per litre of blood
REDUCED PRODUCTION OF PLATELETS
● Infections, e.g. typhoid, brucellosis
● Deficiency of folate or vitamin B12
● Aplastic anaemia
● Drugs (e.g. cytotoxic, quinine, aspirin), chemicals
(e.g. benzene), some herbal remedies, alcoholism
● Leukemias, lymphoma, myeloma, myelofibrosis, carcinoma
● Hereditary thrombocytopenia (rare condition).
INCREASED DESTRUCTION OR CONSUMPTION OF
PLATELETS
● Infections, e.g. acute falciparum malaria, dengue, trypanosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis
● Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
● Hypersplenism
● Immune destruction of platelets, e.g. idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), other connective tissue disorders, chronic lymphatic leukaemia, lymphomas and HIV/AIDS. Also, exposure to drugs, e.g. quinine, mefloquine, penicillin, and some herbal remedies.
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