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Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood: a population-based study in Qatar
Naima Al-Mulla1, Abdulbari Bener, Aliaa Amer
1Department of Pediatrics, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Catar.
Insights
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is common in Qatari children, with acute ITP more frequent in boys. Most children presented with low platelet counts and received intravenous immunoglobulin treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder.
- Understanding ITP patterns in pediatric populations is crucial for effective management.
- Limited data exists on ITP characteristics in newly developed Arabian societies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of acute and chronic ITP in children under 14 in Qatar.
- To describe the clinical presentation and characteristics of ITP in this demographic.
- To contribute to the understanding of ITP in a unique societal context.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, descriptive study conducted at Hamad General Hospital, Qatar.
- Inclusion of 50 children diagnosed with ITP between 2000 and 2005.
- Analysis of demographic data, ITP type, presenting features, and treatment.
Main Results:
- 62% of pediatric ITP cases were acute, 38% chronic.
- Acute ITP was more common in boys; chronic ITP showed near-equal gender distribution.
- Viral infections preceded ITP in most cases; 68% had platelet counts below 20x10(9)/L.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin was the primary treatment for 74% of patients.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a high incidence of ITP among children in Qatar.
- Findings align with international reports on ITP prevalence and characteristics.
- This research provides valuable insights into pediatric ITP in an Arabian population.
Objective:
To find the pattern of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (acute/chronic) and to describe presenting features and clinical characteristics of the disease in children below 14 years of age in a newly developed Arabian society.
Methods:
This retrospective, descriptive study was carried out at the Pediatric Department of the Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar. A total of 50 children below 14 years of age who were diagnosed with ITP during the period 2000-2005 were included.
Results:
Among the studied children (50), 62% were diagnosed with acute ITP and 38% with chronic ITP. Acute ITP was more prevalent in boys (64.5%) when compared with girls (35.5%), whereas for chronic ITP, nearly an equal distribution was found in boys (57.9%) and girls (42.1%). Preceding viral infection was common in both acute (71%) and chronic (63.2%) ITP cases; 68% of the children with ITP showed a platelet count below 20x10(9)/L at the time of presentation. Most of the studied children were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (74%).
Conclusions:
The study revealed a high incidence of ITP among children in Qatar. The study findings are in line with other international reports.
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