Severe Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura during Childhood: Definition, Management, and Prognosis

George R. Buchanan, Janna M. Journeycake, Leah Adix

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) can be categorized as mild, moderately severe, or severe. Severe chronic ITP during childhood is a rare disorder characterized by clinically significant mucocutaneous hemorrhage, usually in the setting of marked thrombocytopenia. It can cause substantial morbidity and rarely mortality. Many patients improve with time or even fully recover, but for those whose quality of life is negatively influenced by hemorrhage or side effects of conventional therapy (corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin G, or anti-D), splenectomy is recommended. If splenectomy is unsuccessful or not feasible, other drug treatments are available, but few efficacy data exist, and the toxicity and cost of these treatments can be appreciable. Their use is best avoided outside of clinical trials conducted in specialty centers or in multi-institutional networks.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)595-603
Number of pages9
JournalSeminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis
Volume29
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2003

Keywords

  • Chronic
  • ITP
  • Severe
  • Splenectomy
  • Thrombocytopenia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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