title: High-dose dexamethasone therapy for a 14-month-old boy with refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: A 14-month-old boy with refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), who was successfully treated with pulsed high-dose oral dexamethasone therapy is reported. The platelet count increased after six scheduled courses of treatment (10 mg/day x 4 days, six courses). Twenty-four months later, the platelet count remained over 10.0 x 10(4)/microL. No obvious side effects were observed during or after the therapy. This treatment could be taken into consideration not only for adults but also for young children with refractory ITP. It is effective, safe, easy to administer, patient comfort is taken into consideration, and hospitalization duration and costs are minimized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kakihara
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kataoka
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011239:Prednisolone