Synonyms

Clinical Indications

To determine the presence of platelet antibodies than are associated with disease and drug therapies.

Request Form

Combined Pathology Blood form (Yellow/Black)
Blood Transfusion form (Pink)

Availability

Analysed by referral laboratory if specific criteria met. (NBS Cambridge)

Specific Criteria

Requested by Consultant or agreed with Consultant Haematologists.

Turnaround Time

Usually within two months

Specimen

Serum and Whole Blood

Volume

2 x 7mL

Container

1x Yellow top (SST) tube.
1x Purple top (EDTA) tubes.

Collection

Samples should be transported to laboratory immediately.

Lab. Handling

Samples should be sent to Reference Laboratory as soon as possible

Causes for Rejection

Unlabelled sample. Not meeting specific criteria for analysis. Delay in sample reaching laboratory. Underfilled, clotted or haemolysed samples

Interpretation

Low platelet counts in newborn infants are occasionally as a result of parental platelet antibodies. Investigations should therefore include samples of both parents and the child after ruling out other clotting abnormalities. Thrombocytopenia in adults may be due to many causes, including drug induced reactions to antibiotics, quinine and heparin with the patient producing antibodies. Alternative therapies may provide a solution.