title: Management of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children: a single institution experience.
abstract: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a relatively common hematologic disease in childhood. ITP is often self-limiting and is characterized by a good clinical outcome. About 10-20% of cases can have a chronic course. In our retrospective analysis we have evaluated 45 patients affected by ITP from January '92 to December '97. Thirty-seven patients (82%) met the criteria of acute ITP and 8 (18%) had chronic ITP. Patients were stratified into 3 categories based up on the type of treatment received: no treatment, steroids, steroids and IVIG. In our series children treated with oral prednisone showed a slightly faster recovery in the first days from treatment. We suggest the use of steroids in children with low platelet count and signs and symptoms of bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Oncology, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ridola
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lazzareschi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riccardi
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies