[Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood]

In 12 of 95 children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of the University Hospital in Bern between January 1st and December 31st 1979, the disease became chronic. Sex and age distribution were similar in children with acute and chronic ITP. Neither the history nor the initial symptomatology were useful for early detection of chronic ITP. For this purpose the initial raise of the platelet count after initiation of prednisone treatment appeared to be a more reliable parameter. Five of the 12 children received only drugs while 7 were splenectomized. After an observation period of 4 years none of 4 children who had received only drugs but 2 of 3 splenectomized children required intensive treatment. Prednisone and azathioprine, vincristine or cyclophosphamide, used alone or in various combinations, induced impressive but only temporary remissions.