Idiopathic ThrombocytopenicPurpura

ITPnadersmadi@hotmail.com

Introduction

• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), also called immune thrombocytopenic purpura, is a bleeding disorder in which your blood has difficulty clotting due to an unusually low number of platelets. Platelets (thrombocytes) are colorless blood cells that stop blood loss by clumping together at the site of a blood vessel injury and forming plugs in vessel holes.

• People with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, because of their low platelet count, tend to bruise easily and bleed longer when injured. Nosebleeds and bleeding gums also are common.

• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is often divided into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute ITP is the most common form and occurs most frequently in children, typically after a viral infection. It usually goes away on its own within six months. Chronic ITP lasts longer than six months and is more common in adults.

Introduction

• Treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura depends on your signs and symptoms and platelet count. If no bleeding problems are present and the platelet count isn't too low, treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura usually isn't necessary. The goal of treatment for both children and adults is to create a safe platelet count and avoid bleeding complications. Treatment may include the use of medications and, in some cases, surgery.

Introduction

Signs And Symptoms

• Easy or excessive bruising (purpura) • Superficial bleeding into your skin that appears

as a rash of pinpoint-sized reddish-purple spots (petechiae), usually on your lower legs

• Prolonged bleeding from cuts • Spontaneous bleeding from your gums or nose • Blood in urine or stools • Unusually heavy menstrual flows • Profuse bleeding during surgery

Petechiae

Causes

• The exact cause of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is unknown. This is why it's referred to as idiopathic, which means "of unknown cause." However, scientists do know that with ITP, the immune system malfunctions and begins attacking platelets as if they were foreign substances.

Causes

• Antibodies produced by your immune system attach themselves to the platelets, marking the platelets for destruction. The spleen, which helps your body fight infection, recognizes the antibodies and removes the platelets from your system. The result of this case of mistaken identity is a lower number of platelets than normal.

Causes

• Normally, you have anywhere from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of circulating blood. As the number of your platelets decreases, your risk of bleeding increases. The greatest risk is when platelet count falls very low — below 10,000 platelets per microliter. At this point, internal bleeding may occur despite a lack of any injury, although this is rare.

Causes

• In children with acute ITP, the disorder often follows a viral illness, such as the mumps, a respiratory infection or a flu-like illness. It may be that such an infection sets off the immune system, triggering it to malfunction. But ITP in adults isn't linked to infections.

Screening & Diagnosis

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Blood Smear

Bone Marrow Examination

Treatment

Corticosteroids

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)

Surgery

Immunosuppressant Drugs

Self Care

Avoid platelet-impairing medications (such as

aspirin and ibuprofen)

Limit alcohol (can impair blood clotting)

Choose low-impact physical activities (increase

the risk of injury and bleeding)

Watch for signs of infection (due to splenectomy)