Childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: report of 60 cases from Kuwait.

Sixty children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were admitted to a regional hospital in Kuwait over a 6-year period. A high annual incidence of ITP (12.5/10(5] was noted, probably related to viral infections during the period of the study. Forty-one were patients with acute ITP and 19 with chronic ITP. The initial treatment varied: corticosteroids were given in 33 cases, no therapy in 23 cases, and intravenous gamma globulin (IVGG) in four cases. Splenectomy was carried out in two children, of whom one died 2 years later as a result of septicaemia. This study showed that conservative management can be adopted in mild cases of ITP and active measurements should be reserved for patients presenting with moderate-severe mucocutaneous bleeding and significant thrombocytopenia.