Question
An infant of two months and 24 days was found to have a platelet count of only 4 during a physical examination, and the parents are seeking to understand the possible diseases corresponding to this situation.
Answer
Low platelet counts can lead to various health issues, including but not limited to intracranial hemorrhage, hematuria, and can pose a threat to life. Some patients may mistake thrombocytopenic purpura for a precursor to leukemia, but in reality, there are significant differences between the two. Symptoms of thrombocytopenic purpura may include swelling and purple spots on the oral mucosa, and when platelet counts drop below 20,000, symptoms such as gastrointestinal bleeding may occur. Although thrombocytopenic purpura shares some symptoms with leukemia, they are not the same disease. It is recommended that parents should thoroughly understand other related test values and seek professional medical diagnosis and treatment.