X-linked thrombocytopenia
Last updated 18 Aug 2020
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
- DownloadDownload
- Share
- Language
- Discussion
- Audio Version
- Add to preferred sources on Google
X-linked thrombocytopenia is a bleeding disorder that primarily affects males. This condition is characterised by a blood cell abnormality called thrombocytopenia, which is a shortage in the number of blood cells involved in clotting (platelets). Affected individuals often have abnormally small platelets as well, a condition called microthrombocytopenia. X-linked thrombocytopenia can cause individuals to bruise easily or have episodes of prolonged bleeding following minor trauma or even in the absence of injury (spontaneous bleeding). Some people with this condition experience spontaneous bleeding in the brain (cerebral hemorrhage), which can cause brain damage that can be life-threatening.
Description
X-linked thrombocytopenia is a bleeding disorder that primarily affects males. This condition is characterised by a blood cell abnormality called thrombocytopenia, which is a shortage in the number of blood cells involved in clotting (platelets). Affected individuals often have abnormally small platelets as well, a condition called microthrombocytopenia. X-linked thrombocytopenia can cause individuals to bruise easily or have episodes of prolonged bleeding following minor trauma or even in the absence of injury (spontaneous bleeding). Some people with this condition experience spontaneous bleeding in the brain (cerebral hemorrhage), which can cause brain damage that can be life-threatening.
Some people with X-linked thrombocytopenia also have patches of red, irritated skin (eczema) or an increased susceptibility to infections. In severe cases, additional features can develop, such as cancer or autoimmune disorders, which occur when the immune system malfunctions and attacks the body's own tissues and organs. It is unclear, however, if people with these features have X-linked thrombocytopenia or a more severe disorder with similar signs and symptoms called Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
Some people have a mild form of the disorder called intermittent thrombocytopenia. These individuals have normal platelet production at times with episodes of thrombocytopenia.
Inheritance patterns
The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: X-linked recessive. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.
Related genes
Other names
Thrombocytopenia 1
XLT
Related patient information and medicines
Patient information leaflet
Full blood count and blood film
The type of leukaemia depends on the type of whit... Too few platelets - this is called thrombocytopenia. This may make you bruise or bleed easily. Too many platelets - this is called thrombocythaemia ( or thrombocytosis). This is due to disorders which affect cells in the bone marrow which make platelets. Thrombocytosis is a 'soft' indicator for.
Patient information leaflet
Glycogen storage disorders
Glycogen storage disorders are inherited. If both parents are carriers of the faulty gene, the chance of each one of their children being affected by the glycogen storage disorder is 1 in 4. X-linked inheritance pattern This occurs in some people with glycogen storage disorder type IX. In this pattern of inheritance, females can be carriers for.
Patient information leaflet
Blood clotting tests
Blood clotting tests are used to diagnose and assess bleeding problems and to monitor people who take warfarin or other anticoagulant medicines. You may be advised to have blood clotting tests: If you have a susp... What problems can occur. Bleeding disorders There are various conditions where you tend to bleed excessively if you damage or cut a.
Patient information leaflet
Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration
A bone marrow biopsy is a procedure where a sample of tissue is taken from the inside of a bone. What is bone marrow, biopsy and aspiration. There are a number of reasons why you may be advised to have these tests. For example, they may be done to: Find the reason for a low number of red blood cells (anaemia), a low number of white blood cells.
Patient information leaflet
Can I take Quinine and Ropinirole together?
C... Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or optic neuritis Stop taking quinine immediately and seek medical advice if you experience any changes to your hearing (such as ringing) or any sudden changes to your vision. Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets) Quinine can cause a dangerous drop in blood platelets. Seek urgent medical help if you notice.
Patient information leaflet
E. coli
There are various strains of E. coli germs (bacteria). It can lead to a severe gut infection with bloody diarrhoea. Also, the poison (toxin) released by VTEC O157 can cause other serious diseases such as haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). The majority of people fully recover from a VTEC O157 infection..
Further reading and references
- X-linked thrombocytopenia; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Albert MH, Bittner TC, Nonoyama S, Notarangelo LD, Burns S, Imai K, Espanol T, Fasth A, Pellier I, Strauss G, Morio T, Gathmann B, Noordzij JG, Fillat C, Hoenig M, Nathrath M, Meindl A, Pagel P, Wintergerst U, Fischer A, Thrasher AJ, Belohradsky BH, Ochs HD. X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT) due to WAS mutations: clinical characteristics, long-term outcome, and treatment options. Blood. 2010 Apr 22;115(16):3231-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-09-239087. Epub 2010 Feb 19.
- Andreu N, Matamoros N, Escudero A, Fillat C. Two novel mutations identified in the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein gene cause Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and thrombocytopenia. Int J Mol Med. 2007 May;19(5):777-82.
- Bourne HC, Weston S, Prasad M, Edkins E, Benson EM. Identification of WASP mutations in 10 Australian families with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and X-linked thrombocytopenia. Pathology. 2004 Jun;36(3):262-4. doi: 10.1080/00313020410001692521.
- Imai K, Morio T, Zhu Y, Jin Y, Itoh S, Kajiwara M, Yata J, Mizutani S, Ochs HD, Nonoyama S. Clinical course of patients with WASP gene mutations. Blood. 2004 Jan 15;103(2):456-64. doi: 10.1182/blood-2003-05-1480. Epub 2003 Sep 11.
- Jin Y, Mazza C, Christie JR, Giliani S, Fiorini M, Mella P, Gandellini F, Stewart DM, Zhu Q, Nelson DL, Notarangelo LD, Ochs HD. Mutations of the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP): hotspots, effect on transcription, and translation and phenotype/genotype correlation. Blood. 2004 Dec 15;104(13):4010-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2003-05-1592. Epub 2004 Jul 29.
- Lee WI, Huang JL, Jaing TH, Wu KH, Chien YH, Chang KW. Clinical aspects and genetic analysis of taiwanese patients with wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein mutation: the first identification of x-linked thrombocytopenia in the chinese with novel mutations. J Clin Immunol. 2010 Jul;30(4):593-601. doi: 10.1007/s10875-010-9381-x. Epub 2010 Mar 16.
- Notarangelo LD, Notarangelo LD, Ochs HD. WASP and the phenotypic range associated with deficiency. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005 Dec;5(6):485-90. doi: 10.1097/01.all.0000191243.25757.ce.
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts or experiences with others in our patient communities.
Ask, share, connect.
Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.
Sign up to the Patient newsletter
Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.
By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.