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ITP stands for Immune Thrombocytopenia (a decreased platelet number). |
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You may also hear the term "Idiopathic" Thrombocytopenic Purpura which was the older (historic) name for ITP. "Idiopathic" means the cause of the low platelets is unknown, but now we know that ITP is caused by problems in a person's immune system. |
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| ITP occurs when a person makes antiplatelet antibodies which attach to his/her own platelets. The antibodies cause the immune system to destroy the platelets. This results in a decrease in the platelet count. |
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| Platelets are the blood cells that help form clots to stop bleeding. |
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| A blood test is done to count the number of platelets you /your child has. |
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A normal platelet count is higher than 100-150,000/mm3. |
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| Hematologists generally agree that platelet counts: |
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 | higher than 100,000/mm3 are always safe, |
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| higher than 30,000/mm3 are nearly always safe, and |
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| lower than 10,000/mm3 may be associated with an increased risk of bleeding. |
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| The cause of ITP is not known. |
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| ITP has been associated with: |
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| recent viral infection, |
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| some medications, |
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| immune disorders (including Lupus), and |
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| infections. |
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| There is nothing you did to cause ITP. |
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| ITP is not contagious. |
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| There is no cure for ITP. Fortunately, most childhood cases resolve on their own. |
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The main reason to treat ITP is to decrease bleeding symptoms and/or to improve you/your child's quality of life. |
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| Platelet counts lower than 10,000 may increase the risk of bleeding. |
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| Therapy temporarily raises the platelet count to minimize the bleeding risk. |
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| The treatment for ITP may include: |
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observation (monitoring bleeding symptoms and platelet counts), |
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| stopping medications that are thought to cause ITP, and |
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| treating infections. |
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| Other treatments such as steroids, Winrho, IVIG, and/or 6-mercaptopurine infusions may be considered. These medications help to trick the body's response so that it does not destroy the platelets. |
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| In some instances a splenectomy (removal of the spleen) may be recommended. |
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| Platelet counts may go up and down for many months. |
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| Childhood ITP usually resolves itself within 6 months. |
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| Some patients do not resolve within this period of time and continue with Chronic ITP. |
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| Some patients may also require several courses of treatment before the ITP resolves at a later time. |
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