Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) can be either an acute or chronic condition. The acute form is caused by immune complexes binding to or cross-reacting with platelets, often as the result of a viral infection. Acute ITP occurs predominantly in children, usually younger than 6 years of age, and is self-limited. Chronic ITP has an insidious onset, occurs three times more commonly in females than in males, and is seen most commonly between the ages of 20 and 40.

Causes

People with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura form antibodies that destroy their blood platelets. Antibodies are a healthy response to bacteria. In people with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, however, the antibodies attack the body's own blood platelets.

Few of the possible causes of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura are included in the list below:

• Viral infection
• Pregnancy
• Immune disorders
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Symptoms

• Acute: see Thrombocytopenia
• Chronic: see Thrombocytopenia
• Menometrorrhagia may occur

Signs

• See Thrombocytopenia

Treatment

In children the disease often runs its course without treatment and in adults the initial treatment is usually with a drug called prednisone. A splenectomy is sometimes advised. Spleen is the major site of platelet destruction but removal of the spleen will only bring up the platelet count in half percents of people.

Other treatments are:

• Treat high-dose gamma globulin injections
• Drugs that suppress the immune system
• Oral danazol
• Anti-RhD therapy can be useful in people with specific blood types

Treatment for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura will be determined by your child's physician based on:

• Child's age, overall health, and medical history.
• Type of disorder.
• Child's tolerance for specific medications, therapies.
• Expectations for the course of the disease.