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Semin Thromb Hemost 2001; 27(3): 269-276
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-15256
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

The Nontreatment of Childhood ITP (or ``The Art of Medicine Consists of Amusing the Patient until Nature Cures the Disease'')

Paula H.B. Bolton-Maggs1 , Roswitha Dickerhoff2 , Ajay J. Vora3
  • 1Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, Alder Hey, Liverpool, UK
  • 2Hematology/Oncology, Johanniter Kinderklinik, St. Augustin, Germany
  • 3The Children's Hospital, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The management of childhood acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is controversial, with recent guidelines highlighting the lack of suitable evidence upon which to base management decisions. Three European centers have used an expectant policy and results over the past decade demonstrate that this is safe and convenient for the majority of children. Adequate parental education about the condition from an experienced specialist is essential, together with open access for children should they develop any problems. A clinical stratification of such patients must be incorporated into any future trials, together with quality of life assessment to discover the impact of restrictions on lifestyle, particularly in adolescents with chronic ITP who may need a different approach.

KEYWORD

Children - platelet count - expectant approach - drug toxicity - idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

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