Abstract
Cases of 42 children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are reviewed. They had been admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital between January 1980 and December 1989, were followed for over 2 years after onset. Ages ranged between three month and 11 years 10 months. There were 20 males and 22 females. Types of disease were: 31 cases of acute type, 6 cases of chronic type, and 5 cases of recurrent type. High doses of intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG) were administered in 14 cases (5 for IVIG, 9 for IVIG+corticosteroid) ; corticosteroid (PSL) was given in 15 cases; and symptomatic treatment was applied in 13 cases. Previous infections had occurred for 71.4% of the cases, mostly upper respiratory tract infections. In the IVIG group (14 cases, 18 courses), platelet counts in a few cases reached 5×104/μl within 24 hours. Within 5 days, platelet counts of most cases reached 5×104/μl. However, platelet counts were lower than 5×104/μl in a few chronic and recurrent cases even after 10 days. In the PSL group (15 cases, 17 courses), only 5 cases (7 courses) were confirmed to have more than 5×104/μl platelet counts within 5 days. In the symptomatic treatment group (13 cases, 14 courses), only 5 cases (5 courses) had a similar tendency. Platelet counts incresed more rapidly in the IVIG group than in the others. About 54% of chronic and recurrent types recovered 2 and 4 years after onset, and there were no differences due to treatment methods. At onset no relation was evident between platelet count and IgG level for a disease type.
