Editorial | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2834-5010/010
Paediatric Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
- Hilary Denis Solomons *
P.O.Box 64203, Highlands North, 2037. South Africa.
*Corresponding Author: H.D.Solomons, P.O.Box 64203, Highlands North, 2037. South Africa.
Citation: Hilary Denis Solomons., (2024). Paediatric Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. International Journal of Clinical Therapeutics. 3(1); DOI: 10.31579/2834-5010/010
Copyright: © 2024, Hilary Denis Solomons. Nguyen, this is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Received: 03 August 2023 | Accepted: 20 September 2023 | Published: 01 January 2024
Keywords:
Abstract
Introduction
Idipathic thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP) is thecondition of having an abnormally low platelet count (thrombocytopaenia) of unknown cause (idiopathic). As most incidents of ITP appear to be related to the production of antibodies to platelets, Immune thrombocytopaenic purpura or immune thrombocytopaenia are terms also used to describe this condition. Often ITP is asymptomatic (devoid of obvious symptoms) and can be discovered incidentally, but a very low platelet count can lead to an increased risk of bleeding and purpura. ITP is diagnosed with a complete blood count (a common blood test.) In some situations, additional investigations (such as a bone marrow biopsy) may be necessary to ensure that the platelet count is not decreased due to other reasons. Treatment may not be necessary in mild cases, but very low counts or significant bleeding might prompt treatment with steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, anti-D immunoglobulin, or stronger immunosupressive drugs. Refractory ITP (ITP not responsive to conventional treatment) may require splenectomy, the surgical removal of the spleen. Platelet transfusions may be used in severe bleeding together with a very low count. Sometimes the body may compensate by making abnormally large platelets!