Childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Aggressive management of life-threatening complications.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in childhood is usually a benign, self-limited illness. Life-threatening complications, such as central nervous system (CNS) hemorrhage, occur in less than 1% of cases. We report a case in which the patient failed to respond to splenectomy and high-dose corticosteroid therapy. Immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine sulfate, and corticosteroids in conjunction with frequent transfusions of platelets was associated with a complete remission that persisted after therapy was discontinued.
D000367:Age Factors; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D001856:Bone Marrow Examination; D002648:Child; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004912:Erythrocytes; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013156:Splenectomy; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001323:Autoantibodies; D014750:Vincristine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone; D006854:Hydrocortisone