ORAL MEGADOSE METHYLPREDNISOLONE VERSUS INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN FOR ACUTE CHILDHOOD IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA

Twenty children with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) w ere randomized to receive either oral megadose methylprednisolone (MDM P) or intravenous immunoglobulin G (IV IgG). Normal platelet counts (g reater-than-or-equal-to 150 x 10(9)/l) were obtained in 6 patients of each group in 3 days and in 8 and 9 patients treated with oral MDMP an d with IV IgG within 1 week, respectively. It is concluded that oral M DMP could easily be used for the early elevation of platelet counts, w hich is important for ITP treatment.