Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) – Symptoms and Causes
What Is Immune Thrombocytopenia?
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a blood disorder marked by low platelet counts. Platelets help blood clot, so when levels drop too low, patients may experience bleeding and bruising.
This condition was previously called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. People with ITP often develop purple bruises on their skin. Small reddish-purple dots that resemble a rash may also appear.
ITP affects children and adults differently:
- Children: Usually develops after a viral infection or typically resolves without treatment.
- Adults: Often becomes a chronic condition lasting for months or years.
Not everyone with ITP needs treatment. Those with mild symptoms and acceptable platelet counts may only need monitoring. For more severe cases, doctors might prescribe medications to boost platelet production or recommend spleen removal surgery.
Signs and Symptoms
ITP (Immune thrombocytopenia) may not always cause noticeable symptoms. However, when symptoms do appear, they can include:
- Easy bruising that happens without injury
- Tiny reddish-purple spots (petechiae) that look like a rash, mainly on the lower legs
- Larger purple or red patches (purpura) on the skin.
- Bleeding from the gums or nose that happens spontaneously
- Blood in urine or stool
- Unusually heavy menstrual periods in women
These symptoms happen because your body doesn’t have enough platelets, which are blood cells that help with clotting.
When Medical Help Is Needed
Contact your healthcare provider if you or your child shows any of the symptoms listed above. For bleeding that doesn’t stop with basic first aid measures like applying pressure, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Uncontrolled bleeding requires prompt medical attention and shouldn’t be ignored, as it could lead to serious complications.
Causes
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) typically occurs when the immune system incorrectly targets platelets, the blood cells responsible for clotting. This mistaken immune response leads to platelet destruction.
Several factors can trigger ITP:
- Viral Infections: In children, ITP often follows common viral illnesses like the flu or mumps.
- Bacterial Infections: H. pylori bacteria (which cause stomach ulcers) may trigger ITP in adults.
- Serious Infections: HIV and hepatitis infections can lead to ITP development in adults.
These triggers cause the immune system to malfunction, attacking platelets as if they were harmful foreign substances.
Risk Factors
ITP tends to affect young women more frequently than other groups. People with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus face a higher risk of developing ITP.
In these cases, the immune system already attacks healthy tissues in the body, which may contribute to the increased risk.
Complications
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) can lead to serious health issues in some cases. One of the most dangerous complications is bleeding in the brain, which happens rarely but can be life-threatening.
For pregnant women with ITP, special concerns exist. Those with low platelet counts face higher risks of excessive bleeding during childbirth.
Pregnancy and ITP considerations:
- Medical supervision is essential throughout pregnancy
- Treatment may be needed to stabilize platelet counts
- Delivery plans should account for bleeding risks
The good news is that ITP typically doesn’t affect the unborn baby. However, it’s important to test the newborn’s platelet count shortly after birth to ensure proper monitoring and care if needed.
Blood tests during pregnancy and after delivery help healthcare teams manage potential complications effectively. Early intervention can significantly reduce risks for both mother and baby.
