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Information and Resources
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
Synonyms
- ITP
- autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura
- primary thrombocytopenic purpura
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a not infrequent autoimmune bleeding disorder characterized by the abnormally low levels of 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 many ITP cases, there are no readily apparent causes or underlying disease (idiopathic), but frequently there are associated collagen vascular diseases or underlying neoplasms, most frequently lymphoid. 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 50% 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.
15475 Gratiot Avenue
Detroit, MI 48205
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
Tel: (800)598-4668
Email: aarda@aarda.org
Internet: http://www.aarda.org/
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20892-0105
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (301)251-1223
Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
ITP People Place
133 Rollins Avenue, #5
Rockville, MD 20852
USA
Tel: (301)770-6636
Fax: (301)770-6638
Tel: (877)528-3538
Email: info@pdsa.org
Internet: http://www.pdsa.org/
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute ~ Hematology Branch
10 Center Dr, Building 10-CRC
3-5140, MSC-1202
Bethesda, MD 20892-1202
Tel: (301)496-5093
Fax: (301)496-8396
Tel: (800)644-2337
Email: YoungNS@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://dir.nhlbi.nih.gov/labs/hb/index.asp?
Platelet Disorder Support Association
133 Rollins Avenue
Suite 5
Rockville, MD 20852
USA
Tel: (301)770-6636
Fax: (301)770-6638
Tel: (877)528-3538
Email: pdsa@pdsa.org
Internet: http://www.pdsa.org
MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
ITP Foundation
30 Old Kings Hwy South Suite 275
Darien, CT 06820
USA
Tel: (203)655-6954
Fax: (203)548-9182
Email: itpf@itpfoundation.org
Internet: 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
Email: shirley@itpsupport.org.uk
Internet: http://www.itpsupport.org.uk
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Email: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel: (310)264-0826
Fax: (310)264-4766
Email: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick, NJ 08723
Tel: (732)664-9259
Fax: (732)543-7285
Email: autoimmunehelp@aol.com
Internet: http://www.aininc.org
European Society for Immunodeficiencies
1-3 rue de Chantepoulet
Geneva, CH 1211
Switzerland
Tel: +31 73-6992965
Fax: +41 22 906 91 40
Email: esid@kenes.com
Internet: http://www.esid.org
AutoImmunity Community
Tel: (919) 552-9057
Email: moderator@autoimmunitycommunity.org
Internet: http://www.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: 2/18/2011
Copyright 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2010 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders
Last Updated:
October 07, 2011
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.
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