Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2026

A Uniform Shear Assay for Human Platelet and Cell Surface Receptors via Cone-plate Viscometry
04:32

A Uniform Shear Assay for Human Platelet and Cell Surface Receptors via Cone-plate Viscometry

Published on: June 5, 2019

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in children

Carlo Baronci1, Valeria Pansini, Daria Funaro

  • 1Hematology Division, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Vatican City, Italy.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|August 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in children often requires treatment, with most responding to therapies like IVIG and high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP). These treatments effectively raise platelet counts and achieve remission quickly.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder affecting children.
  • While many pediatric ITP cases remit spontaneously, treatment is often necessary.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment strategies for pediatric ITP.
  • To compare outcomes of different doses and types of therapies, including methylprednisolone and IVIG.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 265 children (0-15 years) treated for ITP between 1995 and 2005.
  • Comparison of outcomes for high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP), dexamethasone (DXM) pulses, low-dose MP, and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG).
  • Inclusion of a 'wait and see' strategy for children with platelet counts ≥10x10^9/L and no significant bleeding.

Main Results:

  • A high rate of persistent complete remission (CR) was achieved (92.1% overall, 89.4% after first-line treatment or observation).
  • No statistically significant differences in CR rates were found between treatment groups.
  • Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) and HDMP (7.5 mg/kg for 4 days) demonstrated faster achievement of safe platelet levels (>30x10^9/L) and CR.

Conclusions:

  • IVIG and a specific regimen of HDMP are effective for rapidly improving platelet counts and achieving remission in pediatric ITP.
  • Treatment strategies for pediatric ITP show differences compared to adult ITP management.
  • Splenectomy was successful in a subset of non-responding patients.

More Related Videos

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells09:46

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells

Published on: December 27, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Disorders of Hemostasis01:24

Disorders of Hemostasis

Hemostasis, the process that stops bleeding after a blood vessel injury, is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system. However, disorders of hemostasis can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to either excessive clotting or bleeding. These disorders can be broadly classified into thromboembolic disorders and bleeding disorders.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Formation of the Platelet Plug01:22

Formation of the Platelet Plug

The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis01:20

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis

Blood clotting or coagulation involves extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, which ultimately merge into the common pathway, forming a fibrin clot.
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which forms a...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...