Close
Open
Share on Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Email
 
Notice: Users may be experiencing issues with displaying some pages on stanfordhealthcare.org. We are working closely with our technical teams to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.
 

COVID-19 Updates:      COVID-19 Resources »      Vaccine Update »      Updated Visitor Policy »      What We're Doing to Keep You Safe »

Menu
Search
Menu
Search
  • Doctors, Clinics & Locations, Conditions & Treatments
  • Patients & Visitors
  • MyHealth
  • Billing
  • Insurance
  • Medical Records
  • Support Groups
  • Financial Assistance
  • COVID-19 Resource Center
  • Locations and Parking
  • Visitor Policy
  • Hospital Check-in
  • International Patients
  • Contact Us
View All Information for Patients & Visitors »
We are available to assist you 24/7.
650-498-3333
GuestServices@stanfordhealthcare.org


View the changes to our visitor policy »

 

View information for Guest Services »

New to MyHealth?

Manage Your Care From Anywhere.

Access your health information from any device with MyHealth.  You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill.

ALREADY HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?

Activate Account

DON'T HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?

Create a New Account

NEED MORE DETAILS?

Learn More about MyHealth »

MyHealth for Mobile

Get the iPhone MyHealth app »
Get the Android MyHealth app »

WELCOME BACK

Forgot Username or Password?
Need Help?

Clear

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) Treatment

  • About
  • About
Overview
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatments
Overview
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatments

Treatment for ITP in Children

We will determine your child's specific treatment plan based on a number of factors:

  • Your child's age, overall health and medical history
  • Type of ITP (acute versus chronic)
  • Severity and extent of the disorder
  • Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies
  • You and your child's expectations, opinions and preferences

ITP Treatment: Monitoring

Not all children with ITP require treatment. We may recommend closely monitoring your child's platelets and preventing serious bleeding complications. This may be the best course of action until your child's body is able to correct the disorder on its own. Many children with ITP are able to spontaneously recover within six months.

ITP Treatment Options

If we decide treatment is necessary, the two most common forms of treatment are steroids and intravenous gamma globulin:

Steroids for ITP

Steroids help prevent bleeding by decreasing the rate of platelet destruction. Steroids, if effective, will result in an increase in platelet counts seen within two to three weeks. Side effects may include irritability, stomach irritation, weight gain, hypertension and acne.

Intravenous Gamma Globulin (IVGG) for ITP

Intravenous gamma globulin (IVGG) is a protein that contains many antibodies and also slows the destruction of platelets. IVGG works more quickly than steroids (within 24 to 48 hours).

Other Treatments for ITP

Other treatment options may include:

  • Rh immune globulin: Temporarily stops the spleen from destroying platelets. Your child must be Rh positive and have a spleen for this medication to be effective.
  • Medication changes: If we suspect that your child's medication is causing the ITP, we will recommend discontinuing or changing the medication.
  • Infection treatment: If an infection is causing the ITP, then treating the infection may result in higher platelet counts.
  • Splenectomy: In some cases, the child's spleen may need to be removed, since this is the most active site of platelet destruction. We consider this option more often in older children and adults with chronic ITP to decrease the rate of platelet destruction.
  • Hormone therapy: Teenage girls may need to take hormones to stop their menstrual cycle when their platelets are low if excessive bleeding occurs.
  • Medicines: The FDA approved two new medications for ITP: N-plate and Promacta. They stimulate the bone marrow to produce more platelets.
Previous Section Next Section

INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?

The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!

Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.

Clinics for Treatments

  • Stanford Cancer Center Palo Alto
    650-498-6000
  • Stanford Cancer Center South Bay
    650-498-6000
  • Hematology Program
    650-498-6000
  • Find a Doctor
  • Find Conditions & Treatments
  • Find a Stanford clinic
  • For Patients & Visitors
  • Billing
  • Insurance
  • Hospital Check-in
  • Contact Us
  • Get a Second Opinion
  • COVID-19 Resource Center
  • Make a Gift
  • About Us
  • Quality & Safety
  • Annual Report
  • Stanford Health Care Now
  • For Healthcare Professionals
  • Referring Physicians
  • Nursing
  • Allied Healthcare Professionals
First Responders
  • Newsroom
  • Careers
  • Volunteering
  • Vendors
  • University HealthCare Alliance
  • Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare
  • Stanford Medicine
  • Stanford Children's Health
  • Stanford University
  • Legal
  • Privacy
  • Code of Conduct
  • |   Notice of Nondiscrimination     ©2020 Stanford Health Care. All Rights Reserved
Home
Close
Doctors
Clinics & Locations
Conditions & Treatments
Clinical Trials
MyHealth Login

Patients & Visitors
Billing
Insurance
Financial Assistance
Medical Records
Contact Us
Get a Second Opinion
COVID-19 Resource Center
Healthcare Professionals
Referring Physicians
Nursing
Allied Healthcare
About Us
Quality & Safety
Careers
Newsroom
Make a Donation
Stanford Health Care Now
Close