Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Overview :

ITP may be either acute or chronic. The acute form is most common in children between the ages of two and six years; the chronic form is most common in adult females between 20 and 40. Between 10% and 20% of children with ITP have the chronic form. ITP does not appear to be related to race, lifestyle, climate, or environmental factors.

ITP is a disorder that affects the overall number of blood platelets rather than their function. The normal platelet level in adults is between 150,000 and 450,000/mm³. Platelet counts below 50,000 mm³ increase the risk of dangerous bleeding from trauma; counts below 20,000/mm³ increase the risk of spontaneous bleeding.