Immune thrombocytopenia

Question 1

What is immune thrombocytopenia?

Answer 1

An autoimmune condition characterised by low platelets of an unknown cause

Question 2

What are the features of immune thrombocytopenia?

Answer 2

Preceding viral illness
Rash
Bleeding
Mucousal bleeding

Question 3

What investigations are carried out to diagnose immune thrombocytopenia?

Answer 3

FBC
Platelet count - low
CRP
Blood film

Question 4

What is the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia?

Answer 4

Steroids - persistent cases
Splenectomy - refractory cases
Platelet transfusion - life threatening cases

Question 5

What would be seen on bloods in someone with immune thrombocytopenia?

Answer 5

Low platelet count
Normal coagulation screen