[Diagnosis and treatment of ITP]

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is defined as acquired thrombocytopenia with a platelet count of less than 100,000/ml and is caused by increased platelet destruction and decreased platelet production by immune mechanisms. ITP is essentially a diagnosis of exclusion, made when other thrombocytopenic diseases are ruled out. The goal of ITP treatment is not to return platelet counts to normal, but to improve bleeding symptoms and prevent serious bleeding. Indications for treatment should be based on platelet counts, severity of bleeding symptoms, patient characteristics, and lifestyle.