title: Short-course oral prednisone therapy in children presenting with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
abstract: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a disorder for which management remains controversial. The ongoing goal is to define the minimal therapy required for children with acute ITP. A pilot study of short-course oral prednisone (4 mg(-1) kg(-1) d(-1) for 4 d with no tapering) was undertaken in 25 consecutive children with acute ITP and platelet counts under 20 x 10(9) l(-1). Of the 25 children, 22 responded to the prednisone therapy by achieving a platelet count higher than 20 x 10(9) l(-1) within 1 week of commencing treatment. This regimen was found to be safe, inexpensive and effective in increasing the platelet count of children to a haemostatically safe level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Carcao
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zipursky
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Butchart
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leaker
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Blanchette
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010976:Platelet Count; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone