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Bleeding Disorders | Hemophilia | Thrombocytopenia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (Thrombocytopenia)

What is immune thrombocytopenic purpura?

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is a blood disorder characterized by an abnormal decrease in the number of blood platelets, which results in internal bleeding.

There are two forms of immune thrombocytopenic purpura:

acute thrombocytopenic purpura
Most commonly seen in young children, the symptoms may follow a virus infection. The symptoms usually disappear within a year, and the disorder usually does not recur.
chronic thrombocytopenic purpura
The onset of the disorder can happen at any age, and symptoms can last six months or longer. Adults have this form more often than children, and females have it two to three times more often than males.

What causes immune thrombocytopenic purpura?

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura may be due to:

medications - including over-the-counter medications
infection
pregnancy
immune disorders

However, about half of all cases are classified as idiopathic, which means there is no known cause.

What are the symptoms of immune thrombocytopenic purpura?

The following are the most common symptoms for immune thrombocytopenic purpura, however, each individual may experience symptoms differently:

internal bleeding, which may cause:

ecchymosis - bruising

petechiae - tiny red dots on skin or mucous membranes

occasionally, bleeding from the nose, gums, digestive tract, urinary tract

rarely, bleeding within the brain

The symptoms of immune thrombocytopenic purpura may resemble other blood disorders or medical problems. Consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How is immune thrombocytopenic purpura diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for immune thrombocytopenic purpura may include:

additional blood and urine tests
other evaluation procedures
careful review of patient's medications
bone marrow examination

Treatment for immune thrombocytopenic:
Specific treatment for immune thrombocytopenic purpura will be determined by your physician(s) based on:

your overall health and medical history
extent of the disease
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

treatment of the causative disease
discontinuation of causative drugs
treatment with corticosteroids
treatment with medications
lifestyle changes, such as:
- use of protective gear
- avoidance of certain activities

This page was last updated on: January 30, 2008.

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