Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a blood disorder where the platelets in the blood decrease in number. Platelets are cells that help blood to clot, meaning they help to stop bleeding. Not having enough platelets can lead to easy bruising, bleeding gums and internal bleeding. This disorder is caused by an immune reaction against one’s own platelets. It is also called autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.
There are two types of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura:
- Acute thrombocytopenic purpura: This type affects young children and usually follows a viral illness such as chicken pox. Symptoms start suddenly and usually disappear within a few weeks to a few months.
- Chronic thrombocytopenic purpura: Symptoms can last a minimum of six months, several years, or a lifetime. Adults have this type more often than children, but it does affect adolescents. Females have it more often than males. It can recur often and requires continual follow-up care with a blood specialist (hematologist).
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What are the signs and symptoms of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura?
Some people may not experience any symptoms from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Others may experience some of the following:
- Easy or excessive bruising
- Petechiae: Bleeding into the skin that appears as tiny reddish-purple spots that look like a rash, usually on lower legs
- Bleeding from gums or nose
- Blood in urine or stool
- Unusually heavy menstrual flow
What causes idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura?
In idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, the immune system attacks its own platelets.
Sometimes, there’s no known cause. A few known causes include:
- Certain medications
- Certain infections, usually viral infections
- Pregnancy
- Immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
- Low-grade lymphomas and leukemias
How is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura treated?
Doctors at Connecticut Children’s can determine the right plan if your child requires treatment for a idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
If there are no signs of bleeding and the platelet count isn’t too low, treatment might not be needed. If symptoms are more severe, treatment could include medications to boost the platelet count or surgery to remove the spleen.