title: [Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: long-term outcome].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has usually an excellent prognosis even when no specific therapy is given. We studied, in 1996, the outcome of 87 patients with ITP observed between 1973 and 1995.
  
  
  METHODS
  These 87 cases represented all the thrombocytopenic purpura observed during 23 years in the same pediatric unit not specialized in hematology. The outcome of these children was investigated in 1996 by phone or writing to the patients themselves or to their physician. Adequate information was obtained for 63 patients (72.4%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two cerebral hemorrhages were observed, one was lethal while the other, observed after several years of course, healed completely. All these patients became free from clinical signs but 11 were not cured in 1996. None of these 63 patients had developed autoimmune disease. One patient died in a traffic accident, his thrombocytopenic purpura had been cured.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of two cerebral hemorrhages, ITP remains in the great majority of cases a benign disease not requiring grave therapeutic decisions.
authors.affiliation: Service de pédiatrie, centre hospitalier, Pau Université, France.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Choulot
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prevost
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saint Martin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mensire
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Doireau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors