What is immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura?

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Immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (or ITP for short) is a bleeding disorder caused by a shortage of tiny cells in the blood called platelets. When a person has an injury such as a cut to the skin, platelets help the blood to form a clot and stop the bleeding. People with ITP have fewer platelets and an increased risk of bleeding which, in rare cases, may be life-threatening.

In adults, ITP is usually a long-term condition. Many adults with ITP do not need any treatment, unless the number of platelets they have in their blood falls below a certain number, they have significant bleeding symptoms or they need to have surgery for any reason (including dental work). If treatment is needed, then the first treatments that are used are usually steroids or a medicine called immunoglobulin. These medicines help to increase the number of platelets in a person's blood. Sometimes, a person might have to have surgery to remove their spleen (called a splenectomy), but this might not be suitable for everybody. Other treatments that might be used include medicines called azathioprine, ciclosporin, cyclophosphamide, dapsone, mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab, eltrombopag, romiplostim and vinca alkaloids.

Most children who have just been diagnosed with ITP do not need any treatment, and the condition usually goes away in 6–8 weeks. However, children with more severe bleeding symptoms, or children at an increased risk of bleeding usually need some type of treatment. The first treatments that are tried tend to be the same as those for adults.

There are also other medicines that a doctor might try to treat ITP in children and young people– these tend to vary depending on the person and their condition. Occasionally, surgery to remove the spleen (a splenectomy) might be suggested.