Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura in children: Clinical presentations and management.

Objective: the aim of this study is to report epidemiological data, clinical presentations and management of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in a single center in south of TUNISIA.

Methods: retrospective study collecting all cases of chronic ITP among children aged less than 14 years, in a department of pediatrics in south of Tunisia during a period of 13 years (from 1st January 2010 to 31 December 2022) Results: during the study period, 72 newly diagnosed ITP were recorded; 11 patients evolves chronic ITP (12 ,5%). They were 6 boys and 5 girls. Two patients were aged more than 10 years at the onset of the disease. Symptoms in the chronic stage were mucocutaneous bleeding. One patient developed post traumatic cerebral hemorragia. Three patients had severe form, and required second-line therapy. Two patients requested Eltrombopag with good response. One patient had spontaneous recovery after 3 years of follow up.

Conclusion: Management of chronic ITP represents a real challenge for pediatrician. Currently, there are some recommendations and guidelines which can guide management strategy of severe forms of Chronic ITP.