A Prospective Study of the Association Between Clinically Significant Bleeding in PICU Patients and Thrombocytopenia or Prolonged Coagulation Times*

Abstract

There is a statistically significant association in PICU patients between decrease in platelet count and clinically significant bleeding, and this association is stronger with lower platelet counts. Further study is required to determine whether platelet transfusion can reduce bleeding risk. International normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time do not predict clinically significant bleeding, and these tests should not be used for this purpose in a general PICU patient population.