PLATELET ULTRASTRUCTURE OF HIGH-RISK PREMATURE-INFANTS

Hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications are common in the term and pr eterm infant. Limited information is currently available about neonata l platelet structure and function, and how these may predispose infant s to bleeding problems. This study comparing platelet ultrastructure o f 71 different term and preterm infants with that of 15 adult control subjects revealed certain platelet morphological differences. Specific ally, the adult platelets had more pseudopods, larger glycogen deposit s, more visible microtubular structure, markedly fewer alpha granules, and smaller areas/perimeters than the infant platelets. Also, in infa nts greater than 31 weeks gestation, the platelets of vaginally-delive red infants were larger than those of both infants delivered by C-sect ion and normal adults. These differences in platelet size and morpholo gy may be related to developmental differences and/or the stress of de livery. These findings provide a framework for further exploration of neonatal platelet structure and function.