 Thrombocytopenia in the absence of other blood cell abnormalities (normal RBC & WBC, normal peripheral smear)

 2 types-acute/chronic  In children the commonly seen type is acute ITP  Follows vaccination or viral ifection

 Ab produced against pltlets  Ab bound platelets are removed and destroyed by the RES-spleen and liver  This cause thrombocytopenia

 May be acute or insidious onset  Mucocutaneous Bleeding *petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis *epistaxis, gum bleeding *menorrhagia *GI bleed, CNS bleed = RARE

 Rule out other causes:

 Goal = prevention of bleeding, NOT cure!  in many children ITP resolves spontaneously(10% end as chronic ITP)

 Avoid contact sports  Avoid NSAIDS  Avoid IM injections  Beware of signs of major bleed – headache,LOC in ICH

 Usually no Tx needed  Tx if pltlet low than or major bleed -Prednisone -IvIg Splenectomy in non resolving cases