Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Aka: Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, ITP
II. Epidemiology
- Incidence: 10 cases per 100,000
- Children comprise 50% of cases
- Most common Thrombocytopenia cause in children
- Peak onset between ages 2 to 4 years
III. Pathophysiology
- IgG Antibody develops against platelet membrane antigen
- Acute Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Acute onset follows Viral Exanthem or viral Infection
- Occurs in otherwise healthy patients
- Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Insidious onset in patient with immune disorder
- More common onset in teenage girls
IV. Causes: Secondary Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Lymphoproliferative Disorders or Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- Evaluate in all patients over age 60 years with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Graves Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- HIV Infection
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infection (EBV or mononucleosus)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Varicella-Zoster Virus
- Hepatitis C Virus
V. Signs and Symptoms
- Purpura
- Bleeding complications
- Associated with severe Thrombocytopenia (Platelet Count <30,000 per uL)
- Mild Splenomegaly in 5 to 10% of cases
- Absent signs
- No fever, lethargy, pallor or weight loss
- No bone or Joint Pain
- No Lymphadenopathy
- No Hepatomegaly
VI. Labs
- Platelet Count drops rapidly
VII. Management: First-Line Management
- Corticosteroids
- Indicated for severe Thrombocytopenia
- Typically indicated with Platelet Count <50,000 per uL (especially <30,000 per uL)
- Platelets increase within a week of starting Corticosteroids
- Dosing
- Methylprednisolone 30 ml/kg/day over 20-30 min up to 1 g/day IV OR
- Prednisone 1-1.5 mg/kg orally daily
- Indicated for severe Thrombocytopenia
- Intravenous Immune globulin (IV IG)
- Dose: 1 g/kg/day for 2-3 days
- Rituximab (Rituxan)
VIII. Management: Emergent management
- Indications for urgent or emergent management (uncommon)
- Serious Hemorrhage
- Urgent or emergent surgery required
- Treatment
- Platelet Transfusion at dosing 2-3 fold greater than usual dose
IX. Management: Refractory cases
- Anti-D Immune globulin
- May be used in Rh Positive patients
- May be considered as alternative to Corticosteroids
- Thrombopoietin receptor agonist
- Splenectomy
- Indicated if corticosterioids and Immunoglobulin Are ineffective at maintaining adequate Platelet Counts
- Safe and effective (however subjects patient to lifelong Asplenia risk)
- May be preferred in younger patients
- Gadenstatter (2002) Am J Surg 184:606-10 [PubMed]
X. Course
- Children: Acute Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Less severe in children
- Recovery within 6 to 12 months for 80-90% of children
- Most cases resolve within weeks
- Adults
- More chronic, insidious course than for adults
XI. References
- Merrill and Gillen (2016) Crit Dec Emerg Med 30(3): 3-8
- Blanchette (2000) Semin Hematol 37(3):299-314 [PubMed]
- Bolton-Maggs (2000) Arch Dis Child 83(3):220-2 [PubMed]
- Gauer (2012) Am Fam Physician 85(6): 612-22 [PubMed]
- George (1996) Blood 88:3-40 [PubMed]
- Souid (1995) Clin Pediatr 34:487-94 [PubMed]