Danazol treatment of children with chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura resistant to corticosteroids.

Danazol is a synthetic androgen with immunomodulatory function and reduced virilising ability, 14 children (7M/ 7F, age 1.5-16 years) with chronic imm une thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) resistant to corticosteroids were treate d with danazol for 3 months or longer. Danazol is administered orally in a dose of 10-20 mg/kg/day (maximum 800 mg/day) 2 or 3 times daily, Mean numbe r of platelets in the absence of therapy was in all the patients under 30.1 0(9)/l and the level of platelet-associated Ig (PAlg) was increased more th an 3.7 times, 57.1% patients responded to therapy including 16.7% nonrespon ders to corticosteroids. No complete response was registered (platelets > 1 50.10(9)/l). The mean number of platelets before the therapy was 7.6.10(9)/ l, during the therapy 36.5.10(9)/l but purpura was minimal or absent. Mean time required for the response was 3.4 weeks (range 3 weeks-1.5 months), Du ring the therapy PAlg level changed minimally, Danazol induced minimal andr ogenic effects in 42.9% patients, Danazol is an effective and well-tolerate d therapy in childhood ITP resistant to corticosteroids.