Platelet function in neonates and children

Suelyn Van Den Helm; Conor McCafferty; Natasha Letunica; Ka Ying Chau; Paul Monagle; Vera Ignjatovic

doi:10.1016/j.thromres.2023.03.005

Platelet function in neonates and children

Thromb Res. 2023 Nov:231:236-246. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.03.005. Epub 2023 Mar 21.

Authors

Suelyn Van Den Helm¹, Conor McCafferty¹, Natasha Letunica², Ka Ying Chau², Paul Monagle³, Vera Ignjatovic⁴

Affiliations

¹ Haematology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
² Haematology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
³ Haematology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia.
⁴ Haematology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St Petersburg, USA. Electronic address: vignjat1@jhmi.edu.

PMID: 36997443
DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.03.005

Abstract

Platelets are major regulators of haemostasis and coagulation. The primary role of platelets in coagulation is to form a stable clot and stop bleeding. Studies of platelet phenotype and function in neonates and children have been restricted by the large volumes required for many common platelet function tests such as platelet aggregometry. Developmental changes in platelets have not been as well described as developmental changes in plasma coagulation proteins, and overall, platelet phenotype and function in neonates and children has been understudied when compared to adults. Recent developments in more sensitive platelet function testing methods requiring smaller blood volumes such as flow cytometry has enabled recent studies to further investigate platelet phenotype and function in neonates and children. In this review we will provide an overview of recent advances from the past five years in platelets in the context of developmental haemostasis, as well as the role of platelets in neonatal paediatric disease.

Keywords: Blood platelets; Child; Newborn; Platelet activation; Platelet aggregation; Platelet function tests.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Blood Coagulation
Blood Platelets*
Child
Hemostasis
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Platelet Aggregation*
Platelet Function Tests / methods