Congenital platelet function defects


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Blood clot formation
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Blood clots
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Definition

Congenital platelet function defects are problems with the blood cells that are needed for blood clotting. Congenital means present from birth.


Alternative Names

Storage pool disease; Glanzmann's thrombasthenia; Bernard-Soulier syndrome; Platelet function defects - congenital


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Platelets are cells that help the blood clot. Congenital platelet function defects are bleeding disorders that involve abnormal platelet function despite normal platelet counts.

There is usually a family history of a bleeding disorder consisting of prolonged bleeding or easy bruising.



Bernard-Soulier syndrome occurs when platelets lack a substance that sticks to the walls of blood vessels. This disorder may cause severe bleeding.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is a condition caused by lack of a protein required for platelet to clump together. This disorder may cause severe bleeding.

Storage pool disease is a mild defect that causes bruising. The risk factor is a family history of a bleeding disorder.



Review Date: 02/06/2007
Reviewed By: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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