SHORT-COURSE ORAL PREDNISONE THERAPY IN CHILDREN PRESENTING WITH ACUTE IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP)

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a disorder for which manageme nt remains controversial. The ongoing goal is to define the minimal th erapy required for children with acute ITP. A pilot study of short-cou rse oral prednisone (4 mg(-1) kg(-1) d(-1) for 4 d with no tapering) w as undertaken in 25 consecutive children with acute ITP and platelet c ounts under 20 x 10(9) l(-1). Of the 25 children, 22 responded to the prednisone therapy by achieving a platelet count higher than 20 x 10(9 ) l(-1) within 1 week of commencing treatment. This regimen was found to be safe, inexpensive and effective in increasing the platelet count of children to a haemostatically safe level.