Immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is a hemorrhagic disorder in which thrombocytopenia is associated with increased peripheral destruction of platelets. The symptoms of thrombocytopenia are independent of the cause of thrombocytopenia and vary inversely with the platelet count. It is not a single disorder but a syndrome of different diseases, all of which have in common shortened platelet survival owing to the presence of an antiplatelet antibody. The bone marrow in immune thrombocytopenic purpura has a normal to increased number of megakaryocytes, indicative of normal to increased production of platelets. Most cases of immune thrombocytopenic purpura are secondary to an identifiable etiologic agent. The subdivisions or classification of immune thrombocytopenic purpura are following: Autoimmune thrombocytopenia, idiopathic or secondary, chronic or acute, - neonatal thrombocytopenia, due to transplacental transfer of maternal autoimmune thrombocytopenia, - isoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia, - drug-induced thrombocytopenia, - post-transfusion purpura and miscellaneous causes of immune thrombocytopenia. (E. Szirmai Adolf Kroenerstr. 11. 7-Stuttgart-O F.R. of Germany)