Low plates again

[Gisellet]

Hello my 7 year old was recently diagnosed with itp. Her platelets were 2 she received treatment (IVIg) March 16th. Platelets were going up highest level on March 23 was 179. She had a CBC yesterday April 2nd and level was 45. Does this mean that she has chronic itp? Or can something else be wrong? I’m really hoping for the acute itp. I am very frustrated. What should I expect. What’s next. It hurts me hear my child scream every time she gets blood work.

[Robert1959]

The reference to 'chronic' and 'acute' ITP relates to the duration of the illness and not the severity or count level. If the illness goes away in the first 6 months then it is considered as 'acute'. If the illness lasts longer than 12 months, then it is considered as being 'chronic'. There is also another category known as 'persistent' where the condition lasts between 6-12 months which is what I had.

Fortunately many children only suffer with 'acute' ITP whereas most adults seem to have 'chronic' ITP.

[Gisellet in reply to Robert1959]

Thank you, I’m really really hoping for acute itp.

[ManishJain]

It takes time to settle down,my soon took 4-6 months to settle down to normal limits.

[Gisellet]

Thank you!

[pdmart]

Hi Gisellet, I know how you feel when you see your 7 year old get blood work. I been going through this with my 4 year old and it breaks my heart everytime. However, stay positive! I took my daughter in a few weeks ago to the hospital due to her having severe bruising on her legs and arms. She had a platelet count of 46. They told me she potentially has ITP but referred me to a Hematologist. 4 days after we met with the Hematologist her platelet count jumped to 57. She at that point said that if her numbers keep going up in the right direction she did not expect ITP but maybe only a body reset since my daughter had been sick for the past 3 months with the Flu, followed by a bad cold then followed by strep throat. She asked us to come back in 2 weeks. Yesterday was her two week appointment and her platelets were at 99. She has not had any treatment. Her hematologist has now released her to her regular pediatrician. So we check again in a month. I hope and pray that she continues to make improvement!

Hang in there! Kids are resilient!

[Gisellet in reply to pdmart]

I am so happy for you and your daughter. I really hope that my daughter’s platelets start going up too. Thank you so much for the positive vibes.