Platelets prevent bleeding occurring in the body by forming clots.
A low platelet count is called thrombocytopenia.
Signs of a low platelet count are:
Your child may need a transfusion of platelets to help stop bleeding or correct a low platelet count.
If your child needs a transfusion of blood or blood product, your child's doctor or nurse will give you some information leaflets from the New Zealand Blood Service.
The New Zealand Blood Service is responsible for the supply of safe blood products.
You can check the The New Zealand Blood Service website for information.
See a selection of leaflets for recipients of blood components and products [1]
If your child has a sore mouth, read the information about mouth care [2]
It's very important that you do not give your child any medicine without first discussing it with your child's doctor.
If your child is having chemotherapy it is very important that you don't give them any of the following medicines:
Even small doses of these can stop normal clotting of the blood and cause bleeding.
Only give medicine for pain and fever after talking to your child's doctor.
Information on product labels may not be clear so if in doubt check with your child's doctor.
All the pages in the childhood cancer section of this website [4] have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the National Child Cancer Network (NZ). Medical information is authorised by the National Child Cancer Network Clinical Leader.
This page last reviewed 10 June 2021.
Email us [5] your feedback
Links
[1] https://www.nzblood.co.nz/Clinical-information/Transfusion-medicine/Information-for-recipients/Your-Guide-To-Blood-Transfusion-leaflets
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/sore-mouth-due-chemotherapy
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/side-effects-treatment
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/childhood-cancer
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F470%3Flanguage%3Drar