Treatment of chronic childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura with intramuscular anti-D immunoglobulins.
Seven patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were treated with intramuscular anti-D (anti-D IgG) five times, on an alternate-day basis, or until a platelet count of 100 x 10(9)/l was achieved, and, subsequently, when necessary to maintain platelet counts above 50 x 10(9)/l. Five patients responded to therapy, two of whom entered long-term remission. Although signs of haemolysis were present in all patients, anaemia was never a problem. No patient developed haematomas at the site of injection. We suggest that intramuscular anti-D represents a safe and relatively inexpensive alternative to intravenous gamma globulins (IVGG) for children with severe chronic ITP.
Borgna-Pignatti
C
C
Department of Paediatrics, University of Verona, Italy.
Battisti
L
L
Zecca
M
M
Locatelli
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000628:therapy*; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin