Low-dose cyclosporin a therapy in children with refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Although splenectomy is the most effective treatment for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), many post-splenectomy patients have recurr ent thrombocytopenia refractory to multiple medical therapies. Three consec utive patients with relapsed ITP after splenectomy and who were refractory to multiple medical therapies were treated with low dose cyclosporin A (CsA ). in all 3 patients, the platelet count increased dramatically within 1 mo nth from the onset of CsA therapy. The only detectable toxicity was hypomag nesemia and mild hypertension in 1 patient. CsA may be efficacious in treat ing patients with chronic ITP, which is refractory to all medical and surgi cal therapies currently being used.