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Thrombocytopenia in Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome

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Acute Renal Disorders and Renal Emergencies

Part of the book series: Developments in Nephrology ((DINE,volume 7))

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Abstract

Thrombocytopenia, unlike acute hemolysis and acute nephropathy, does not occur in every patient with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The mechanism whereby thrombocytopenia occurs is not known, the pathogenetic role of platelets in HUS has not been clearly defined, the duration of thrombocytopenia is variable and the level to which the platelets fall has no prognostic value (1–3). Thrombocytopenia, however, is such a dramatic laboratory observation that much attention has been directed at this finding and, although the role of platelets in the pathogenesis of HUS has been unclear, a variety of therapeutic agents has been advocated on the assumption that normalization of the platelet count may be beneficial. None, unfortunately, has of value and enthusiasm has waned for the use of heparin, aspirin and dipyridamol (4–11).

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Authors
  1. Jack S. C. Fong M.D., M.Sc., F.R.C.P.(C)
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  2. Bernard S. Kaplan M.B., B.Ch., F.C.P.(S.A.)
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA

    José Strauss MD

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© 1984 Martinus Nijhoff Publishing, Boston

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Fong, J.S.C., Kaplan, B.S. (1984). Thrombocytopenia in Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome. In: Strauss, J. (eds) Acute Renal Disorders and Renal Emergencies. Developments in Nephrology, vol 7. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3822-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3822-2_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-3824-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-3822-2

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