All pediatricians encounter cases of immune
thrombocytopenia (ITP), especially in these days of
Coulter counters and automated platelet counts. ITP
is reported in approximately 5 per 100,000 children
and 2 per 100,000 adults.1 ITP was called idiopathic
thrombocytopenia until recently when several clinical
and basic research studies unraveled the pathophysiology
of the disease.
ITP follows a benign course in most children but
has the potential to be life threatening. The risk of
primary intracranial bleeding and soft tissue and
mucosal bleeding secondary to trauma can cause
morbidity and mortality. The lack of evidence-based
management protocols is a potential cause for poor
management of ITP because no evidence clearly
demonstrates that treatment alters the final outcome