Which of the following is a cause of thrombocytopenia?

• A. Hemophilia A
• B. Postsplenectomy
• C. Dysfibrinogemia
• D. Aplastic anemia

Answer: (C)

Thrombocytopenia means a low platelet count, which happens when production is inadequate, platelets are being destroyed, or they’re sequestered somewhere like the spleen. Aplastic anemia fits the first scenario: the bone marrow fails to produce enough megakaryocytes, and therefore not enough platelets are released into circulation, leading to low counts.

Why the others don’t fit as causes of low platelets: Hemophilia A is a deficiency of factor VIII, a clotting protein, not a problem with platelet numbers. Postsplenectomy often raises, not lowers, platelet counts because the spleen no longer sequesters platelets. Dysfibrinogenemia involves a qualitative defect in fibrinogen affecting clot formation rather than changing how many platelets are present.