Danazol therapy in immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Nine children with chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura and moderate to severe episodes of bleeding were treated with Danazol in an attempt to increase their platelet counts and improve clinical hemostasis. Only one patient experienced an excellent response while a good response was obtained in another. Cessation of bleeding episodes was observed in two other children with only marginal increases in platelet counts. Four of the nine patients failed to show any clinical or hematological improvement. The drug was well tolerated but its efficacy in childhood ITP needs further evaluation.