Childhood Idiopathic thrombocytopenia: Clinical profile and management

Abstract

To find out frequency of various clinical findings in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and to evaluate the respnse of different management options. This study was conducted at paediatric department LRH, Peshawar from 1st October 2003 to 30 September 2004 (one year). A total of 20 patients of ITP were society of haematology definition for ITP, which reads ITP as Isolated thrombocytopenia. After taking time. clotting time and coagulation screen were carried out in all cases. bone marrow examination was done only in selected cases. Pateints were given chance of spontaneous recovery except in cases with platelet coutn < 20,000 and withheavy bleeding from any orifice. such cases were treated with platelet transfusion and steroids. The results of our study highlight the importance of wait and see policy and not to do bone marrow aspiration in every child with typical presentation of ITP as 90% of cases resolve spontaneously. speical smear to be done in all cases and treat the child rather than nuber of platelets.