<prompt> Which is the most common cause of thrombocytopenia in an ICU patient?SepsisBone marrow failureITPDrug induced  <response>: Ans. is a i.e., Sepsis Thrombocytopenias in ICU patients : Thrombocytopenia is a common laboratory abnormality that has been associated with adverse outcomes in ICU patients. Thrombocytopenia is defined as platelet count 150 X 103 cells mcL. Following table depicts the probable mechanisms and the causes for presence of thrombocytopenia in ICU patients.Thrombocytopenia in ICU : mechanisms and causesSix possible mechanisms Hemodilution Increased consumption Increased destruction Decreased production Increased sequestration Laboratory artifact pseudothrombocytopenia Specific causes Sepsis, multiorgan failure Trauma or major surgery Bone marrow failure leukemia, aplastic anemia Immune-mediated platelet consumption ITP Drug induced heparin, GPIIbGPIIa inhibitors, antibiotics TIP and related disorders HUS, TMA, and peripartum HELLP syndrome Sepsis is the most common cause accounting for 48 of the total patients of thrombocytopenia in ICU patients. More than 25 of the patients have more than one associated cause. 