IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA IN CH ILDREN - A REVIEW OF 49 CASES

Forty-nine cases of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura are reviewed, Age ranged from 4 months to 13 years, with a mean of 5 1/2 years and a lmost equal male-to-female distribution. In 42% of patients, onset was preceded by symptoms presumed to be due to a viral infection. Abrupt onset of a hemorrhagic symptom was noted in 70% of cases. Platelet cou nts were found to be less than or equal to 10 000/mm(3) in 42% of case s. Investigations are discussed and a simplified evaluation proposed. Twenty-one patients were given corticosteroid therapy because of sever e bleeding and/or a platelet count of less than 10 000/mm(3). The outc ome was unrelated to the treatment used. A complete remission occurred within six months in 80% of patients. The course was chronic in 4% of patients, who represented 9% of splenectomized patients. The success rate of splenectomy was 75%.