IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura has two types: short-term or acute and lost-lasting or chronic.

TYPES

• Acute Immune Thrombocytopenia- This type is considered the most frequent type of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpuraand its duration often lasts for less than six months. Generally, it occurs among children, both girls and boys. Usually, it happens after patients have a viral infection.
• Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia- The second type of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpuradoes not affect men as much as it does women. Women are two to three times more likely to be affected by chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, which has a duration of 6 months and longer. While it generally affects adults, there are cases when children and teenagers are also affected.

SYMPTOMS

• Blood is detected in the stool or urine
• Rash-like spots called petechiaeto to  to appear on the skin
• Hematomas – blood that only partially clotted under the skin.
• Bleeding from the nose or gums
• Purpura – purple bruises caused by bleeding under the skin

A sign of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is bleeding, and it includes more massive than usual menstrual bleeding.

DIAGNOSIS

Medical professionals screen patients who are at risk of hepatitis (either h. pylori or C) and HIV for these conditions which can be linked to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Diagnostic testing

A patient’s platelet count will need to be checked, so blood tests are in order.

• Blood smear – patient’s blood is put on a slide, and a microscope will be used to check the blood cells, primarily the platelets
• Complete blood count – this is to check on the patient’s platelet count. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpuracases usually have lower platelet count while the white and red blood cells count are
• Bone marrow tests – to determine if a patient’s marrow makes enough platelets.
• Medical history- Any drugs, remedies, supplements, over-the-counter medicine could cause lowered platelet count or cause bleeding. Any bleeding symptoms & signs that the patient is having may be due to any condition or illness that cause bleeding or lower the patient’s platelet count
• Physical exam- The medical professional will look for the appearance of petechiae (rash-like red spots on the skin) and purpura (purple bruises found on mucous membranes and also on the skin), as well as any other signs of infection or bleeding.

TREATMENT

Those with the acute type, usually children, may only require follow-up and monitoring to check if their platelet count goes back to normal if the idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is mild. It generally goes away in as early as a few weeks and lasts for some months. Treatment may not be needed. On the other hand, adults with mild idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura also may not need treatment and only need to watch their platelet count and symptoms.

• Medicines – corticosteroids are used to treat ITP, usually prednisone and steroids
• Platelet transfusions
• Stopping use of certain medicines – usually ibuprofen and aspirin
• Splenectomy – removal of the spleen