title: Childhood chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
abstract: Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) develops in approximately 20% of children with acute ITP. Treatment requires differentiating the truly idiopathic state from thrombocytopenias associated with other disorders. Treatment is recommended in cases where platelet counts drop below 20 x 10(9)/L. Therapeutic options include corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin TG(i.v.Ig), and anti-D, as well as splenectomy. The benefits and disadvantages of each modality are reviewed, as well as the management of postsplenectomy failures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. victor.blkanchette@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Blanchette
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards