title: Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood: pathogenetic mechanisms and management.
abstract: A population of 26 children of both sexes mean age 8.5 ± 5.8 years with thrombocytopaenic purpura, disease duration at least 7 months (2.5 ± 1.8 years), platelet count 22 000 ± 12 000/mm(3) was studied. Patients were  divided into three age groups; I: 2-6 years (8 children); II: 7-10 years (10 children); III: 11-16 years (8 patients). Careful history, physical examination, complete blood count with blood smear, platelet autoantibodies, bone marrow aspirate, and response to intravenous  immunoglobulins (IV Igs) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed by χ(2) test. Platelet count, duration of disease, megakaryocytic reduction, need of splenectomy were significantly lower in younger children than older children of III group (P < 0.05).  All patients were responsive to IV Ig. No significant differences of presence of platelet autoantibodies, were found among the groups. Relapse after splenectomy was observed in four older patients among whom three had Evans syndrome: complete remission was obtained with rituximab. Disease  duration appears to be associated to megakaryocytic alterations and patient age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. mara.ferrara@unina2.it
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Fabrizia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bertocco
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capozzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous