Page Content
Platelets are very small cells in the blood that help with blood clotting. When your child does not have enough platelets, it is called thrombocytopenia. Signs of low platelets include:
- Easy bruising
- Bleeding (commonly from the gums or nose)
- Petechia, tiny pink/purple freckle-like spots on the skin
If your child’s platelets are low:
- Avoid activities that could cause an injury to the head, such as skateboarding, trampoline, cycling, skiing, or contact sports.
- Insist that your child use seat belts, car seats, and helmets.
- Don’t use ibuprofen or aspirin because they may keep platelets from working properly.
- Don’t use rectal medicine or thermometers.
- Don’t use douches, enemas, or tampons.
If your child starts bleeding:
- Apply pressure until bleeding stops.
- To stop a nosebleed:
- Have your child sit up and lean forward
- Pinch the bridge of the nose over the bone for 10 minutes. (The pressure must be tight on both sides to be effective.)
- A cold pack held on the nose could also be helpful
Call the clinic if:
- Your child has a nosebleed that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure.
- Your child begins to bleed or ooze blood from the gums.
- Your child is injured by a fall while platelets are low.
- You notice blood in a bowel movement — this can look like bright red blood or just a blackish bowel movement.
- You notice blood in the urine — the urine can look pink.
- Your child looks sick and you are concerned.
- Your child has a severe headache.
During cancer treatment, if your child has any of these symptoms a complete blood count (CBC) helps doctors know if the problem is low platelets (thrombocytopenia). Your child may need a platelet transfusion. For more information about blood transfusions see the fact sheet below: