ITP is an acronym for immune thrombocytopenia. The National Cancer Institute defines ITP as “a condition in which platelets (blood cells that cause blood clots to form) are destroyed by the immune system. The low platelet count causes easy bruising and bleeding, which may be seen as purple areas in the skin, mucous membranes, and outer linings of organs.”
The Mayo Clinic explains that children sometimes develop ITP after viral infections and can often recover fully without treatment. ITP in adults is often a long-term condition. Some symptoms of ITP may include:
- Easy or excessive bruising.
- Superficial bleeding into the skin appearing to be pin-point sized reddish-purple spots that are rash-like and are often on the lower legs.
- Bleeding from the gums or nose.
- Blood in the urine or stools.
- Unusually heavy menstrual flow.
A rare fatal complication of ITP is bleeding into the brain. A low platelet count while you are pregnant, can adversely affect your baby and cause serious complications during delivery. Discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider. To schedule an annual physical at any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, you may visit our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/itp