Acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura: a comparative study of very high oral doses of methylprednisolone and intravenously administered immune globulin.

Abstract

We compared very high doses of methylprednisolone with intravenously administered immune globulin for treatment of acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Fifty-seven children were randomly assigned to receive the immune globulin preparation, 0.5 gm/kg per day for 5 consecutive days (n = 19), orally administered methylprednisolone, 30 mg/kg per day for 7 days (n = 19), or orally administered methylprednisolone, 50 mg/kg per day for 7 days (n = 19). There were no differences in the response of the platelet counts among the groups. We conclude that these two therapies were equally effective; choice between them may be made according to cost and therapy-related risks.