Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or PTI for short, is an autoimmune disease that causes a decrease in the number of platelets.
PTI can occur in both adults and children. PTI in children is generally preceded by a viral infection, is mild, and does not require therapy. Meanwhile, in adults, PTI is usually chronic or long-term.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Symptom
Generally, PTI is preceded by a bacterial or viral infection. Then you will see the following signs:
- Easy bruising, or extensive bruising
- Red-purple spots appear due to bleeding under the skin
- A long bleeding time when there is an injury
- nosebleed
- Bleeding gums
- There is blood in the urine or stool
- Very heavy menstrual volume
- Body weakness
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Reason
Until now, the cause of PTI is still unknown. PTI sufferers have an immune system that is mistaken and considers platelets as foreign bodies and then attacks them. As a result, the number of platelets in the body will decrease.
Diagnosis
If no other possible causes are found, such as an infection or other disease that causes bleeding and a low platelet count, the doctor will usually do a laboratory examination of the blood.
Examination of bone marrow function is only done if abnormal blood cell counts are found.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Treatment
Treatment for mild PTI is only observation without treatment because it can heal spontaneously. If the platelet count has not increased after two weeks without treatment, a corticosteroid class of drugs will be given which can reduce inflammation.
In PTI due to bleeding in certain areas, heparin can be given to prevent blood clots.
Complications
The most common complications of PTI are:
- Head bleeding, which is the main cause of death in PTI patients
- Lost an extraordinary amount of blood
- Infection caused by Pneumococcus bacteria in the form of inflammation of the lining of the brain ( meningitis ) or blood infection ( sepsis )
- Fever up to 38 degrees Celsius