Predicting Resolution of Childhood Immune Thrombocytopenia

Childhood immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is relatively common, and some children develop chronic thrombocytopenia. Investigators retrospectively examined risk factors for chronic ITP in 472 consecutive children (age range, 3 months to 18 years) with ITP at two Israeli hospitals.

Median platelet count at diagnosis was 9000/mm³. The most significant predictors for resolution of ITP (platelet count >100,000/mm³) at 3, 6, and 12 months were age <10 years at diagnosis (20% of children) and abrupt onset of symptoms (<2 weeks of bleeding before diagnosis). Among children <10 years, risk for developing chronic ITP was significantly greater in those with nonabrupt onset (≥2 weeks of symptoms) than in children with abrupt onset. Platelet count <10,000/…