Hasegawa_2002_J.Pediatr.Surg_37_1195

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To evaluate if thrombocytopenia may be related to plasma thrombopoietin level (P-TPO) in postoperative biliary atresia (BA). METHODS: Forty-three postoperative BA patients aged 1 to 20 years were included. P-TPO was measured by enzyme immunoassay. P-TPO was compared with platelet counts (Plt), Child's classification, presence of splenomegaly, and liver function tests. RESULTS: P-TPO significantly correlated with Plt, child's classification, serum albumin, and cholinesterase level, respectively. In 4 patients undergoing portal decompression procedure, preoperative and postoperative Plt and P-TPO were 87.5 +/- 69.1 x 10(3) and 50.3 +/- 28.0, 118.8 +/- 62.3 x 10(3)/mm3, and 53.0 +/- 55.0 pg/mL, respectively, without significant difference. In 6 patients undergoing liver transplantation (LTx), Plt and P-TPO after LTx was 157.5 +/- 83.5 x 10(3) and 143.5 +/- 75.2, respectively, which were significantly higher than those before LTx (55.0 +/- 15.6 x 10(3)/mm3 and 53.2 +/- 32.9 pg/mL). CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia in postoperative BA may be caused by decreased plasma TPO level in accordance with the severity of liver dysfunction rather than hypersplenism.