Glanzmann's thrombocytopenia is characterized by which of the following?

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Multiple Choice

Glanzmann's thrombocytopenia is characterized by which of the following?

Glanzmann's thrombocytopenia is a platelet function disorder caused by loss or dysfunction of the GpIIb/IIIa receptor, which is needed for platelets to bind fibrinogen and aggregate together. Because this aggregation step is impaired, patients have mucosal bleeding even though their platelet count is normal. Platelets can appear normal on a smear, but they fail to clump in response to typical activators like ADP or collagen. Ristocetin-induced aggregation remains normal, since the GpIb-IX complex (involved in ristocetin response) is intact. This combination of mucosal bleeding with a normal platelet count and defective aggregation is characteristic of Glanzmann's. The other options point to different disorders: an adhesion defect from GpIb-IX deficiency (Bernard-Soulier) with thrombocytopenia and often enlarged platelets, or a coagulation factor deficiency like Hemophilia A, which affects the coagulation cascade rather than platelet function.

Glanzmann's thrombocytopenia is a platelet function disorder caused by loss or dysfunction of the GpIIb/IIIa receptor, which is needed for platelets to bind fibrinogen and aggregate together. Because this aggregation step is impaired, patients have mucosal bleeding even though their platelet count is normal. Platelets can appear normal on a smear, but they fail to clump in response to typical activators like ADP or collagen. Ristocetin-induced aggregation remains normal, since the GpIb-IX complex (involved in ristocetin response) is intact. This combination of mucosal bleeding with a normal platelet count and defective aggregation is characteristic of Glanzmann's. The other options point to different disorders: an adhesion defect from GpIb-IX deficiency (Bernard-Soulier) with thrombocytopenia and often enlarged platelets, or a coagulation factor deficiency like Hemophilia A, which affects the coagulation cascade rather than platelet function.

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