title: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in children.
abstract: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children remits spontaneously in the majority of cases but most children require treatment. Between 1995 and 2005, 265 children (0-15 years old) have been consecutively observed and treated: 28 children with high doses of methylprednisolone (HDMP) (15 mg/kgx4 days), 63 with HDMP (7.5 mg/kgx4 days), 37 with HD dexamethasone (DXM) pulses, 29 with low doses of MP, and 51 with different doses of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) (0.4 or 0.8 g/kg). Fifty-seven children have not been treated because of a platelet count>or=10x10(9)/L and no significant bleeding. Two hundred forty-four (92.1%) children reached a persistent CR, 237 (89.4%) after a first-line treatment or the wait and see strategy. No statistically significant differences in CR related to different treatments have been observed. IVIG and HDMP (7.5 mg/kg for 4 days) are the best treatments to reach quickly safe platelet levels>or=30x10(9)/L (3-6 days) and CR (7-11 days). Among non-responding (NR) patients, seven have been splenectomized and three reached stable CR. These results emphasize differences with adult ITP.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Division, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Vatican City, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baronci
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pansini
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Funaro
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Coletti
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Rossi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012384:Rome; D016896:Treatment Outcome