Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a disorder that can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding.

The bleeding results from unusually low levels of plateletsthe cells that help blood clot.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, which is also called immune thrombocytopenia, affects children and adults.

Children often develop ITP after a viral infection and usually recover fully without treatment.

In adults, the disorder is often long term.

In rare cases, the number of platelets may be so low that dangerous internal bleeding occurs.

Treatment options are available.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) may have no signs and symptoms.

Bleeding that won’t stop is a medical emergency.

In some people thrombocytopenia is because of the immune system mistakenly attacking and destroying platelets.

If the cause of this immune reaction is unknown, the condition is called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Idiopathic means “of unknown cause.”

It may be that the infection triggers the immune system malfunction.

The result of this case of mistaken identity is a lower number of circulating platelets than is normal.

A normal platelet count is generally between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of circulating blood.

People with ITP often have platelet counts below 20,000.

Because platelets help the blood clot, as their number decreases, your risk of bleeding increases.

The greatest risk is when your platelet count falls very lowbelow 10,000 platelets per microliter.

At this point, internal bleeding may occur even without any injury.

In pregnant women with ITP, the condition doesn’t usually affect the baby.

But the baby’s platelet count should be tested soon after birth.

In many cases, both procedures are performed at the same time (bone marrow exam).

People with mild idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura may need nothing more than regular monitoring and platelet checks.

Children usually improve without treatment.

Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of your treatment options.

Some people find that the side effects of treatment are more burdensome than the effects of the disease itself.

Emergency care usually includes transfusions of platelet concentrates, intravenous corticosteroid (methylprednisolone), and intravenous immune globulin.

He or she may also refer you to a specialist in blood diseases (hematologist).