These are the cells that make blood clot so bleeding stops after an injury.
Because of this, ITP causes easy bleeding and bruising, as well as purpurapatches of purple skin.
ITP occurs in approximately 50 to 150 people per million each year.
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About half of those affected are children.
In adults, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura affects women more often than men.
Causes of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Thrombocytopeniameans low blood platelets.
Platelets are blood cells that help stop you from bleeding.
They stick to each other and to proteins to form clots that seal wounds and cuts.
ITP is because of an autoimmune reaction in which the body attacks its own platelets.
Antibodies are proteins that fight infection, but they can attack and destroy a person’s own tissue.
In idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, the autoimmune reaction results in a low platelet level.
Sometimes a person can have a few symptomatic episodes and may not experience any effects between them.
Characteristics of Main Types
There are two main types of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
They differ in the duration of the illness and in the age groups they affect.
Complications
Certain complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura can be life-threatening.
In some situations, serious bleeding can occur.
This may result in major blood loss or even harmful bleeding into the brain, lungs, or kidneys.
Fortunately, serious bleeding is rare.
Pregnant women who have ITP may develop bleeding issues during or after pregnancy.
This requires close follow up with a blood specialist (hematologist) throughout pregnancy and after delivery.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of ITP is made using a combination of methods.
If you have symptoms, your healthcare provider will discuss your medical history with you.
Blood Tests
You are likely to have diagnostic blood tests as part of your evaluation.
Blood tests include acomplete blood count(CBC) and electrolyte levels.
A CBC provides a platelet count.
Typically, there are low numbers of platelets in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
In idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, the platelets have a normal shape and appearance on a blood smear.
Your medical team may also look at your WBCs and RBCs under a microscope.
Adults with mild idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura also may not need treatment.
Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura can’t be cured, but the condition can improve with treatment.
Management of chronic ITP is focused on increasing the number of platelets in the blood.
There are several different treatment approaches.
These medications are generally used for a few months or weeks at a time.
Corticosteroidslike prednisone can be taken for several weeks or months to reduce inflammation.
Procedures
There are several procedures that can be used to increase your platelet levels in ITP.
Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG)is a treatment that involves the injection of antibodies.
You may need several sessions of immune globulin for the treatment of ITP.
Asplenectomy, which is the surgical removal of the spleen, can reduce the body’s immune function.
This approach may improve the platelet count in ITP.
However, you may have an increased risk of developing infections if you have your spleen removed.
In situations when you have severe bleeding, you might receive aplatelet transfusion.
Diet
You may be able toimprove your platelet count through diet.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Refined grains and sugar, for example, may decrease your platelet count.
There are a number of illnesses that can cause bleeding and bruising problems.
If idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is the diagnosis, the outcome can be good.
Sometimes treatment to prevent or manage complications may be necessary.
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