The clinical course of immune thrombocytopenic purpura in children who did not receive intravenous immunoglobulins or sustained prednisone treatment.

Abstract

To demonstrate the result of watchful waiting without specific therapy in unselected children with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Between May 1992 and October 1999, 55 consecutive children (aged 2 months to 16 years; 28 boys and 27 girls) with acute ITP did not receive intravenously administered immune globulin G (IVIG) or sustained prednisone treatment. Patients with extensive mucosal bleeding were given prednisone, 2 mg/kg/d, for 3 days. In 37 of 55 patients the initial platelet count was <10,000/microL. Ten of these patients had active mucosal bleeding. Five additional patients with bleeding had platelet counts between 10,000 and 20,000/microL. Four patients were given a 3-day course of prednisone. Chronic ITP occurred in 7 (13%) of the patients; 29 patients achieved remission within 6 weeks, and 19 patients, between 6 weeks and 6 months. No life-threatening bleeding occurred, and no patient died. Most children with severe thrombocytopenia do not have active mucosal bleeding. This management approach, which did not administer specific therapy, avoided side effects, reduced cost, and was effective.