Outcome of children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, based on original material.

Idiopathic or immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is a common hematologic disease in children. ITP is subdivided in an acute and chronic form based solely on the duration of thrombocytopenia. The aim of the study was to analyse the course of disease and outcome of children with acute and chronic ITP. The study enrolled 52 patients with ITP, who were treated in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology in Lublin from 1998 to 2002. Of the 52 patients with ITP there were 28 girls and 24 boys aged from 12 months to 17 years. Out of the 52 patients, 3 patients had spontaneous recovery, 33 were treated with steroids, one with immunoglobulin, others with combined therapy. Good response to treatment was found in 40 patients. Nine children developed chronic ITP. Out of 9 patients, 6 had splenectomy with good result and 3 are only observed. The benefits of splenectomy in markedly symptomatic chronic ITP far outweigh the risks. The majority of patients with acute ITP had good response after corticosteroids therapy.