Childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
W. W. Zuelzer and J. M. Lusher
Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura-(ITP) in children is generally a
benign, self-limited process with spontaneous recovery occurring within a
matter of days or weeks. Management remains somewhat controversial to date,
however, and the controversy surrounding the use or nonuse of
corticosteroids will no doubt continue until critical data become
available. At present, there is little or no evidence to support the claim
that steroids shorten the natural course of the disease. Furthermore,
evidence that steroids lessen the risk of intracranial hemorrhage is
conspicuously lacking. The authors no longer use steroids in ITP; however,
if one does elect to use steroids, a selective approach based on an
assessment of the severity of the bleeding tendency is recommended.
