[38] Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Flashcards
What is thrombocytopenia?
A platelet count of less than 150x10^9/L.
What dictates the risk of bleeding in thrombocytopenia?
The severity
What is considered to be severe thrombocytopenia?
Platelets <20 x 10^9/L
What risk is severe thrombocytopenia associated with?
Spontaneous bleeding
What is considered to be moderate thrombocytopenia?
Platelets 20-50 x 10^9/L
What risk is moderate thrombocytopenia associated with?
Excess bleeding during operations or trauma
Is there a risk of spontaneous bleeding with moderate thrombocytopenia?
Low risk
What is considered to be mild thrombocytopenia?
50-150 x 10^9/L
What risk is mild thrombocytopenia associated with?
Low risk of bleeding, unless there is a major operation or severe trauma
What is the most common cause of thrombocytopenia in childhood?
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
What is the incidence of ITP in children?
About 4 in 100,000 / year
What is ITP caused by?
Destruction of circulating platelets by anti-platelet IgG antibodies
What might the reduced platelet count be associated with in ITP?
A compensatory increase in megakaryocytes in the bone marrow
What are the risk factors for ITP?
- Female gender
- Recent viral infections
Give 3 viral infections that ITP may follow?
- Mumps
- Measles
- Respiratory infection
When do most children with ITP present?
Between the ages of 2 years and 10 years