Acute primary immune thrombocytopenia clinical presentation and management in pediatric patients, Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas

Abstract

Background: Primary immune thrombocytopenia, known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), is an acquired autoimmune disorder that affects adults and children.

Objective: to characterize pediatric patients with acute ITP by its identification and follow-up in the Hospital Nacional Mario Catarino Rivas (HNMCR) between February 1, 2016 and January 31, 2017.

Patients and Methods: Quantitative study, non-experimental longitudinal - prospective design. Scope of the descriptive investigation. The population is all patients under 18 years of age, who attended the HNMCR with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute ITP. The sample shows 47 patients. Excluded patients previously diagnosed with ITP, with second episodes or relapses, with pathologies over aggregates. Information collected through a survey-type instrument: demographic situation, geographical area and review of the clinical file, the data was ana lyzed with the EPIINFO and EXCEL program.

Results: As for the age group, 56% were under five years of age, the sex distribution was predominantly male. 81% of the children were hospitalized, the rest received outpatient treatment; but in 100% some therapy was initiated. After the follow-up, the final diagnosis of the cases captured was acute ITP 58% (n = 27), they evolved to chronicity 20% (n = 9), 22% (n = 10) abandoned follow-up.

Conclusions: The majority of patients with ITP are admitted to the hospital, although their platelet count does not put them at clear risk of spontaneous bleeding, because there are no management guidelines in our hospital.