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Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpurais not the name you expected.

Synonyms

ITP
Purpura Hemorrhagica ITP
Werlhof disease

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a rare autoimmune bleeding disorder characterized by the abnormally low levels of certain blood cells called platelets, creating a condition known as thrombocytopenia. Platelets are specialized blood cells that help prevent and stop bleeding by inducing clotting. In ITP, there is no readily apparent cause or underlying disease (idiopathic). The cells of the immune system, lymphocytes, produce anti-platelet antibodies that attach to the platelets. The presence of antibodies on platelets leads to their destruction in the spleen. The disorder is characterized by abnormal bleeding into the skin resulting in bruising, which is what the term purpura means. Bleeding from mucous membranes also occurs, and may subsequently result in low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia).

ITP presents as a brief, self-limiting form of the disorder (acute ITP) or a longer-term form (chronic ITP). Acute ITP accounts for about 90% of cases, and chronic ITP accounts for the remainder. Eighty percent (80%) of the children with ITP have the acute form while the chronic form affects mostly adults. The acute form usually resolves without treatment (spontaneously) within three to six months. When thrombocytopenia lasts for more than six to 12 months, ITP is classified as the chronic form. Onset of acute ITP is often rapid, while the onset of the chronic form may be gradual.

Resources

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe
MI
48021-2227
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
800: (800)598-4668
aarda@aarda.org
http://www.aarda.org/

ITP Society of the Children's Blood Foundation
Children's Blood Foundation
333 East 38th Street
Suite 830
New York
NY
10016
Tel: (212)297-4336
Fax: (212)297-4340
800: (800)487-7010
http://www.childrensbloodfoundation.org/

NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda
MD
20824-0105
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (301)251-1223
nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.govITP People Place
P.O. Box 61533
Potomac
MD
20859
USA
Tel: (301)770-6636
Fax: (301)770-6638
800: (877)528-3538
pdsa@pdsa.org
http://www.itppeople.com

NIH/Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
10 Center Dr, Building 10-CRC
3-5140, MSC-1202
Bethesda
MD
20892-1202
Tel: (301)402-0764
Fax: (301)402-3088
zamaniw@nhlbi.nih.gov
http://dir.nhlbi.nih.gov/labs/hb/index.asp?

Platelet Disorder Support Association
135 Rollins Ave Suite 5
Rockville
MD
20852
USA
Tel: (301)770-6636
Fax: (301)770-6638
800: (877)528-3538
pdsa@pdsa.org
http://www.pdsa.org

MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay
WI
54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
800: (877)336-5333
mums@netnet.net
http://www.netnet.net/mums/

ITP Foundation
381 Post Rd
Darien
CT
06820
USA
Tel: (203)655-6954
Fax: (203)655-7997
info@itpfoundation.org
http://www.itpfoundation.org

ITP Support Association
Synehurst, Kimbolton Road
Bolnhurst, Beds
MK44 2EW
United Kingdom
Tel: 01144 0870 777 0559
Fax: 01144 0870 777 0559
shirley@itpsupport.org.uk
http://www.itpsupport.org.uk

Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick
NJ
08723
Tel: (732)664-9259
autoimmunehelp@aol.com
http://www.aininc.org

European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID)
c/o Dr. Esther de Vries
Jeroen Bosch Hospital
Dept. Paediatrics
P.O. Box 90153
Hertogenbosch
5200 ME's
Netherlands
Tel: +31 73-6992965
Fax: +31 73-6992948
info@esid.org
http://www.esid.org

AutoImmunity Community
Tel: (919) 552-9057
bandrews@autoimmunitycommunity.org
http://autoimmunitycommunity.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 11/24/2008
Copyright 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: November 24, 2008

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