TREATMENT OF ACUTE IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENI A IN CHILDREN WITH ONE DOSEOF IMMUNOGLOBULIN

In a retrospective study we analyzed 27 children with acute immune thr ombocytopenia (ITP) who met the following criteria: signs of bleeding, platelet count < 20 x 10(9)/l at diagnosis and treatment with intrave nous immunoglobulin (IVIG). IVIG was given at a dose of 0.4 g/kg body weight. Within 24 h after a single dose of IVIG, 19 of 27 patients (70 %) reached platelet counts > 20 x 10(9)/l. For 12 of the 19 children t reatment was stopped after one dose of IVIG. Their rise in platelet co unts during the following days did not differ from those observed in 7 children in whom IVIG was continued for 2-4 days. Children who did no t reach a platelet count of more than 20x10(9)/l within 24 h after the initial dose of IVIG had a significantly more protracted course despi te further IVIG therapy. We suggest single-dose therapy of 0.4 g/kg IV IG may be sufficient for most children with ITP, bleeding signs, and l ow platelet counts.