Typical morphology of Platelets

Size : 2-5 ?m
Normal values : 150-450 x 10(9) /L (depending on the age, sex or physiological changes such as pregnancy)
Description / Pathology :
On MGG staining, the PLT do not contain nucleus.
They contain purple, violet particles, corresponding to different types of granules.
- Decreased PLT number (thrombocytopenia) :
  - Central cause: bone marrow impairment;
  - Peripheral cause: platelet destruction by hypersplenism of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Increased PLT number (thrombocytosis)
  - Peripheral cause: Inflammation, Chronic Myeloproliferative Syndrome