What is ITP?Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura is a blood-clotting disorder that can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding. ITP results from unusually low levels of platelets — the cells that help your blood clot.
Who gets ITP?
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura affects both children and adults. Children often develop idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura after a viral infection and usually recover fully without treatment. In adults, however, the disorder is often chronic.It is more common in females versus males.
The incidence of ITP in adults is approximately 66 cases per 1,000,000 per year. An average estimate of the incidence in children is 50 cases per 1,000,000 per year. What Causes ITP?The exact cause of ITP isn't known. That's why it's referred to as idiopathic, which means "of unknown cause." It is known, however, that in people with idiopathic thrombocytopenica purpura, the immune system malfunctions and begins attacking platelets as if they were foreign substances.
Antibodies produced by your immune system attach themselves to the platelets, marking the platelets for destruction. The spleen, which helps your body fight infection, recognizes the antibodies and removes the platelets from your system. The result of this case of mistaken identity is a lower number of circulating platelets than normal. Signs & SymptomsIdiopathic thrombocytopenica purpura (ITP) may have no symptoms. When signs and symptoms do occur, they may include:
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) may have no symptoms. When signs and symptoms do occur, they may include:
How is it Treated?Treatment of ITP depends on your symptoms and platelet count. If you don't have signs of bleeding and your platelet count isn't too low, treatment for ITP usually isn't necessary. More serious cases may be treated with medications or, in critical situations, with surgery.
In children, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura usually runs its course without the need for treatment. About 80 percent of children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura recover completely within six months. |
Interesting FactoidsOscar winning producer and actress Lisa Blout suffered from ITP. It was stated that ITP was a factor of her death.
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