Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) Treatment
Many children with ITP do not need treatment. Often it goes away on its own in a span of weeks or months.
For more severe cases, doctors may want to give one of several ITP treatments designed to slow down the destruction of platelets and increase the platelet count. Here are the main ITP treatment options.
Intravenous Gamma Globulin (IVIG)
This substance may help block the antibodies that cause platelet destruction. IVIG is made from blood plasma.
WinRho SDF
This product, also made from blood plasma, helps disguise red blood cells so they look like platelets. As a result, the spleen starts to destroy some of these red blood cells instead of platelets. This can cause mild anemia but is beneficial because it raises platelet levels.
Corticosteroids
These medicines may help slow down the process of platelets being removed from the blood by the spleen and liver.
Vincristine
This chemotherapy drug, most often used to treat cancer, is also used sometimes to raise platelet levels in people who have ITP.
Transfusions
We almost never use platelet transfusions in ITP treatment because the transfused platelets are destroyed as quickly as the child's own platelets.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) Menu:
Introduction | Symptoms & Diagnosis | Treatment