A brief refresher with useful tables, figures, and research summaries

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia in the absence of other cytopenias. Children with ITP generally appear well but have petechiae and bruising but no other concerning signs or symptoms (e.g., persistent fevers, lymphadenopathy, bone pain, night sweats, or hepatosplenomegaly).

• History and physical examination: Patients present with isolated petechiae, purpura, or bruising. Any of the following symptoms should prompt concern and further investigation for malignancy:

  • persistent fevers

  • night sweats

  • bone pain

  • recurrent infections

  • lymphadenopathy

  • hepatosplenomegaly

• Complete blood count with differential: Patients demonstrate isolated thrombocytopenia.

  • Presence of anemia and/or leukopenia or leukocytosis should also raise concern for malignancy and prompt further investigation.

• Bone-marrow examination: Not necessary for children with typical features of ITP, even if treatment with glucocorticoids is needed.

• Observation: Children with no bleeding or mild bleeding do not require any treatment. Most children will not develop serious bleeding, and therefore can be safely observed.

• Initial treatment: If treatment is necessary due to patient-related factors (young age, developmental delay, or relevant psychosocial concerns), the following therapies have shown benefit as initial treatment. The goal of treatment is to achieve a platelet count sufficient for normal hemostasis but not to achieve a ‘normal’ platelet count.

  • intravenous immune globulin (IVIG)

  • glucocorticoids: prednisone for 1–2 weeks, followed by a slow taper over 2–3 weeks

  • anti-D immune globulin (anti-D): only for patients who are Rh-positive with a negative direct antiglobulin test (DAT) and have not undergone splenectomy; however, because anti-D can cause intravascular hemolysis, its use is generally not recommended in children with anemia caused by bleeding or ongoing autoimmune hemolysis

• Treatment of refractory ITP: The following are second-line treatments that can be used for refractory ITP:

  • rituximab

  • high-dose dexamethasone

  • thrombopoietin-receptor agonists (eltrombopag, romiplotim))

  • splenectomy