Pediatric Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

Immune thrombocytopenia is a classic childhood disease. All pediatricians should be aware of it, and pediatric hematologists need to be adept in the management of immune thrombocytopenia. Despite its abrupt onset, conspicuous bruising, and sometimes dramatic mucosal bleeding, pediatric immune thrombocytopenia typically resolves spontaneously over a few weeks to several months. Troublesome bleeding is uncommon, and severe bleeding is rare even when severe thrombocytopenia occurs. Most children can be managed with anticipatory counseling alone, without pharmacotherapy while awaiting spontaneous resolution.