title: Chronic refractory ITP in children: beyond splenectomy.
abstract: Idiopathic (or immune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a relatively common hematologic condition, but one that the hematology community has failed to reach a consensus on with regard to treatment. In patients with chronic refractory ITP, there is even less agreement about treatment approaches, as this population represents a small, but challenging, fraction of the total cases of ITP. The aim of this article is to review the treatment options available for children with chronic refractory ITP, including a review of the benefits versus risks, rate of remission, and areas of ongoing and future research.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service, 6701 Fannin, suite 1400, MC 3-3320, Houston, TX 77030, USA. nmsevier@texaschildrenshospital.org
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sevier
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houston
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013156:Splenectomy