Thrombocytopenia of perinatal asphyxia occurs in late preterm and term neonates who undergo perinatal asphyxia.
Clinical and laboratory features:
(1) perinatal asphyxia (cord blood pH < 7 AND base deficit >= 16 mmol/L)
(2) platelet count < 150,000 per µL on >= 2 occasions
(3) exclusion of other diagnoses (DIC, ECMO-related thrombocytopenia, sepsis, etc)
(4) elevated nucleated RBC count
The thrombocytopenia tends to be mild to moderate and transient. Bleeding related to the thrombocytopenia is rare.
Platelet transfusion is usually not indicated.
