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Immune thrombocytopenia

Last edited: 4/13/2026

Overview

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia and an increased risk of bleeding due to immune-mediated platelet destruction. 22

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Isolated thrombocytopenia with normal bone marrow.
  • Peripheral Smear: Examination for platelet morphology and exclusion of other causes.
  • Bone Marrow Examination: Typically normal, but may exclude bone marrow disorders.
  • Exclusion of Secondary Causes: Rule out other conditions causing thrombocytopenia. 22
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatments:
  • - Corticosteroids: Initial therapy for acute bleeding or high-risk patients. - Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG): For rapid control of bleeding.
  • Second-Line Treatments:
  • - Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists (TPO-RAs): Romiplostim, eltrombopag, fostamatinib for chronic ITP. - Diazeniumdiolates (e.g., avatrombopag): Alternative TPO-RA options.
  • Other Therapies:
  • - Splenectomy: Considered in refractory cases. - Rituximab: For patients resistant to first-line treatments. - Diacerein: Combined with eltrombopag in refractory cases. 123451114151722

    Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Often self-limiting; corticosteroids and IVIG commonly used. 81022
  • Pregnancy: Careful differentiation from other causes of thrombocytopenia; management tailored to gestational stage and bleeding risk. 2242
  • Elderly: Increased bleeding risk; cautious use of splenectomy and focus on minimizing adverse effects. 22
  • Comorbidities: Consider thrombotic risk with TPO-RAs; monitor for thromboembolic events, especially in patients on fostamatinib and romiplostim. 141837
  • Key Recommendations

  • Initial Management: Use corticosteroids or IVIG for acute bleeding or high-risk patients (Evidence: Strong 22).
  • Chronic ITP: Consider TPO-RAs like romiplostim or eltrombopag for sustained platelet response (Evidence: Moderate 1415).
  • Refractory Cases: Evaluate splenectomy or rituximab in patients unresponsive to initial treatments (Evidence: Moderate 214).
  • Monitoring for Thrombotic Events: Closely monitor patients on TPO-RAs for potential thromboembolic adverse events (Evidence: Moderate 11837).
  • Pediatric ITP: Prioritize observation and supportive care due to high spontaneous remission rates (Evidence: Expert opinion 810).
  • References

    1 Lu Z, Zeng Y, Shang G, Lu X. Thromboembolic adverse events associated with TPO-RA in ITP treatment: a pharmacovigilance analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System. Frontiers in immunology 2026. link 2 Chowdhury SR, Sirotich E, Guyatt G, Gill D, Modi D, Venier LM et al.. Treatment of Critical Bleeds in Patients With Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Systematic Review. European journal of haematology 2025. link 3 Wei W, Bai YT, Chang E, Liu JF. Post-marketing safety surveillance of fostamatinib: an observational, pharmacovigilance study leveraging FAERS database. Expert opinion on drug safety 2025. link 4 Wang X, Li Y, Zhuang W. Safety analysis of romiplostim, eltrombopag, and avatrombopag post-market approval: a pharmacovigilance study based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System. BMC pharmacology & toxicology 2025. link 5 Sun L, Huang X, Wang J, Yuan C, Zhao H, Li D et al.. Eltrombopag plus diacerein vs eltrombopag in patients with ITP: a multicenter, randomized, open-label phase 2 trial. Blood 2024. link 6 Ono R, Kitagawa I. SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review of current reports. Annals of hematology 2024. link 7 Neunert CE, Arnold DM, Grace RF, Kuhne T, McCrae KR, Terrell DR. The 2022 review of the 2019 American Society of Hematology guidelines on immune thrombocytopenia. Blood advances 2024. link 8 Russo G, Parodi E, Farruggia P, Notarangelo LD, Perrotta S, Casale M et al.. Recommendations for the management of acute immune thrombocytopenia in children. A Consensus Conference from the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue 2024. link 9 Mo D, Yang X, Xu G, Zhang X, Wang K, Lei L et al.. Signal detection of immune thrombocytopenia associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Scientific reports 2024. link 10 Ibrahim L, Dong SX, O'Hearn K, Grimes AB, Kaicker S, FritchLilla S et al.. Pediatric refractory immune thrombocytopenia: A systematic review. Pediatric blood & cancer 2023. link 11 Kuwana M, Ito T, Kowata S, Hatta Y, Fujimaki K, Naito K et al.. Fostamatinib for the treatment of Japanese patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia: A phase 3, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study. British journal of haematology 2023. link 12 Harris EM, Hillier K, Nolan M, Meleedy-Rey P, Buissereth T, Grace RF. Utilization of an ITP quality improvement pathway improves adherence to management guidelines. Pediatric blood & cancer 2023. link 13 Qu H, Wu J, Ma C, Qiaolongbatu X, Song X, Feng T et al.. Safety Profile of Eltrombopag in Different Age Groups: An Analysis of Real-World Pharmacovigilance and Randomized Clinical Trials. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics 2023. link 14 Wu YJ, Liu H, Zeng QZ, Liu Y, Wang JW, Wang WS et al.. All-trans retinoic acid plus low-dose rituximab vs low-dose rituximab in corticosteroid-resistant or relapsed ITP. Blood 2022. link 15 He X, Ran N, Wang T, Shao Z. Efficacy and quality of life of Romiplostim in adults and children with immune thrombocytopenia: A review. Medicine 2022. link 16 Morita LM, Martin CC, da Silva KN, Woolum A, Hurley DJ, Gomes V. Hematologic profiles and development of innate immune function in healthy Holstein calves during the pre-weaning period. Veterinary clinical pathology 2022. link 17 Janssens A, Selleslag D, Depaus J, Beguin Y, Lambert C. Primary immune thrombocytopenia in adults: Belgian recommendations for diagnosis and treatment anno 2021 made by the Belgian Hematology Society. Acta clinica Belgica 2022. link 18 Jiang JJ, Zhao B, Li J. Does eltrombopag lead to thrombotic events? A pharmacovigilance study of the FDA adverse event reporting system. Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics 2022. link 19 Ahmed HAW, Masoud AT, Han J, Adel Sofy A, Saeed Ahmed A, Abdesattart AT et al.. Eltrombopag Effectiveness and Tolerability in Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Meta-Analysis. Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis : official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis 2021. link 20 Xu JY, Wang Y, Wu Y, Gu JW. Safety and efficacy of eltrombopag in the treatment of children with immune thrombocytopenia: a Meta analysis. Zhongguo dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of contemporary pediatrics 2021. link 21 Hoffmeister KM. The never-ending enigma of immune thrombocytopenia. Blood 2020. link 22 Sahi PK, Chandra J. Immune Thrombocytopenia: American Society of Hematology Guidelines, 2019. Indian pediatrics 2020. link 23 Jaime-Pérez JC, Ramos-Dávila EM, Aguilar-Calderón P, Jiménez-Castillo RA, Gómez-Almaguer D. Diagnoses, Outcomes, and Chronicity Predictors of Patients with Secondary Immune Thrombocytopenia: Ten-Year Data from a Hematology Referral Center. Revista de investigacion clinica; organo del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion 2020. link 24 Neunert C, Terrell DR, Arnold DM, Buchanan G, Cines DB, Cooper N et al.. American Society of Hematology 2019 guidelines for immune thrombocytopenia. Blood advances 2019. link 25 Monteagudo E, Astigarraga I, Cervera Á, Dasí MA, Sastre A, Berrueco R et al.. [Protocol for the study and treatment of primary immune thrombocytopenia: PTI-2018]. Anales de pediatria 2019. link 26 Mithoowani S, Arnold DM. First-Line Therapy for Immune Thrombocytopenia. Hamostaseologie 2019. link 27 Wormsbecker AE, Johnson C, Bourns L, Harris T, Crowcroft NS, Deeks SL. Demonstration of background rates of three conditions of interest for vaccine safety surveillance. PloS one 2019. link 28 Liu XG, Bai XC, Chen FP, Cheng YF, Dai KS, Fang MY et al.. Chinese guidelines for treatment of adult primary immune thrombocytopenia. International journal of hematology 2018. link 29 Neunert CE, Cooper N. Evidence-based management of immune thrombocytopenia: ASH guideline update. Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program 2018. link 30 Pishko AM, Misgav M, Cuker A, Cines DB, George JN, Vesely SK et al.. Management of antithrombotic therapy in adults with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP): a survey of ITP specialists and general hematologist-oncologists. Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis 2018. link 31 Cybulska A, Meintker L, Ringwald J, Krause SW. Measurements of immature platelets with haematology analysers are of limited value to separate immune thrombocytopenia from bone marrow failure. British journal of haematology 2017. link 32 Thompson RW, Gungor A. Immune thrombocytopenia of childhood responsive to tonsillectomy in the setting of chronic tonsillitis: A case report and literature review. American journal of otolaryngology 2017. link 33 Weide R, Feiten S, Friesenhahn V, Heymanns J, Kleboth K, Thomalla J et al.. Outpatient Management of Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) by Hematologists 1995-2014. Oncology research and treatment 2016. link 34 Tsukune Y, Komatsu N. Management of Adult Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia in Japan: Patient and Hematologist Perspectives from a Multi-center Cross-sectional Questionnaire Survey. Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) 2016. link 35 Stotler BA, Schwartz J. How we use WinRho in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Transfusion 2015. link 36 Hillis CM, Schimmer AD, Couban S, Crowther MA. The Canadian Choosing Wisely campaign: the Canadian Hematology Society's top five tests and treatments. Annals of hematology 2015. link 37 Nguyen TT, Palmaro A, Montastruc F, Lapeyre-Mestre M, Moulis G. Signal for Thrombosis with Eltrombopag and Romiplostim: A Disproportionality Analysis of Spontaneous Reports Within VigiBase®. Drug safety 2015. link 38 Lu KH, George JN, Vesely SK, Terrell DR. Management of primary immune thrombocytopenia, 2012: a survey of oklahoma hematologists-oncologists. The American journal of the medical sciences 2014. link 39 Rodeghiero F, Michel M, Gernsheimer T, Ruggeri M, Blanchette V, Bussel JB et al.. Standardization of bleeding assessment in immune thrombocytopenia: report from the International Working Group. Blood 2013. link 40 Kühne T, Imbach P. Management of children and adolescents with primary immune thrombocytopenia: controversies and solutions. Vox sanguinis 2013. link 41 Journeycake JM. Childhood immune thrombocytopenia: role of rituximab, recombinant thrombopoietin, and other new therapeutics. Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program 2012. link 42 Gernsheimer TB. Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: is this immune thrombocytopenia or...?. Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program 2012. link 43 Goldstein SL. Therapeutic apheresis in children: special considerations. Seminars in dialysis 2012. link 44 Moulis G, Sommet A, Sailler L, Lapeyre-Mestre M, Montastruc JL. Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia: a descriptive survey in the French PharmacoVigilance database. Platelets 2012. link 45 Stasi R, Newland AC. ITP: a historical perspective. British journal of haematology 2011. link 46 Bertuola F, Morando C, Menniti-Ippolito F, Da Cas R, Capuano A, Perilongo G et al.. Association between drug and vaccine use and acute immune thrombocytopenia in childhood: a case-control study in Italy. Drug safety 2010. link 47 Reese JA, Li X, Hauben M, Aster RH, Bougie DW, Curtis BR et al.. Identifying drugs that cause acute thrombocytopenia: an analysis using 3 distinct methods. Blood 2010. link 48 Butler JE, Sinkora M, Wertz N, Holtmeier W, Lemke CD. Development of the neonatal B and T cell repertoire in swine: implications for comparative and veterinary immunology. Veterinary research 2006. link 49 Visvardis G, Manou E, Griveas I, Meimaridou D, Mitsopoulos E, Kyriklidou P et al.. Therapeutic apheresis of immune diseases in nephrology department. Renal failure 2004. link 50 Chandramouli NB, Rodgers GM. Prolonged immunoglobulin and platelet infusion for treatment of immune thrombocytopenia. American journal of hematology 2000. link65:1<85::aid-ajh17>3.0.co;2-9) 51 Johnson KA, Johnson TR, Smith JW, DeJongh M, Fischer O, Amra NK et al.. RedSoar--a system for red blood cell antibody identification. Proceedings. Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care 1991. link 52 Hamelin M, Adam L, Lemieux G, Pallotta D. Expression of the three unlinked isocoding actin genes of Physarum polycephalum. DNA (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.) 1988. link 53 Dooley DP, Mills GM, Spiva DA. Immune thrombocytopenia and ulcerative colitis. Southern medical journal 1986. link 54 Zaltzman M, Kallenbach J, Shapiro T, Lewis M, Fritz V, Reef H et al.. Life-threatening hypotension associated with azathioprine therapy. A case report. South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde 1984. link 55 Dvilansky A, Yermiyahu T, Hatskelzon L, Kaplan H, Meirstein N, Nathan I. Thrombocytopenia as an epiphenomenon to excessive weight loss after gastric operation (bypass, gastroplasty). International journal of tissue reactions 1984. link 56 Ribera A, Martin-Vega C, Massuet L, Argelagués E, Tornos C, Triginer J. Autoimmune thrombocytopenia: serological behavior of platelet antibodies. Vox sanguinis 1983. link 57 Salama A, Mueller-Eckhardt C. Elimination of the prozone effect in the antiglobulin reaction by a simple modification. Vox sanguinis 1982. link

    Original source

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