Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
Other names: Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura is an autoimmune
that attacks the platelets of the blood, reducing
the amount of platelets needed for proper clotting
of the blood. ITP is a blood disorder, but is classified
as an autoimmune since it is the antibodies attacking
the platelets.
ITP causes easy and excessive bleeding and bruising,
and can cause complications such as hematoma (when
blood collects outside the blood vessel) and gastrointestinal
bleeding. In children, ITP can be appear after a viral
infection, but will usually clear up on it's own without
treatment. In adults, the condition is usually chronic
and long-term.
The exact cause of ITP is not known, and some of
the more common signs and symptoms include red/purple
marks ranging from small pin-sized dots (Petechiae)
to large bruise-like spots (purpura). Sufferers may
also have frequent nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums
and prolonged bleeding with simple small cuts or lesions.
There are two types of ITP.
Acute ITP: Most common in children and lasts less
than 6 months, usually treatment is not required.
Chronic ITP: Most common in adults and is usually
a chronic, life-long condition that requires treatment
to control and prevent complications.
Symptoms:
Bleeding from the nose
Bleeding gums
Bruise like purple spots on skin
Pin-sized red or purple dots on the skin that do not
fade when pressure is applied
Diagnosis:
Usually, physicians will try to eliminate other causes
of the signs and symptoms, such as leukemia, medications,
cirrhosis, HIV, hepatitis and other blood-related
disorders. Blood tests may also show:
Low Platelet Count (Plt)
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy can also exclude
or include ITP.
Treatment:
In children, treatment is usually not needed and
ITP will clear up on it's own.
Adults usually require treatment with Non-Steroidal
Anti-Inflammatories or Prednisone. If patients do
not respond to treatment, other treatments such as
danazol, high-dose gamma globulin and immunosuppressant
therapy may be used.
In severe cases, removal of the spleen or plasma
exchange may be required to remove the antibodies
causing the immune response.
ITP patients should not take aspirin, warfarin, ibuprofen
or any blood-thinning medications as this can further
complicate ITP.
Prognosis:
With proper treatments prognosis is god. It is important
that ITP patients' platelet counts be monitored regularly
and that all treatments, therapies and lifestyle adjustments
be followed for a healthier outlook.
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