Use of intravenous methylprednisolone in acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Overview

Twenty newly diagnosed children with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with a platelet count (PC) of less than 20,000 were treated with intravenous methyl prednisolone (IVMP) 5 mg/kg/day in four divided doses until the platelet count increased to 50,000/mm3. They were then placed on oral prednisone at conventional doses for a total of three weeks of steroid therapy. The platelet counts increased by an average of 55,000/mm3 within 48 h of treatment. Within 72 h (day 3) of treatment all patients achieved a PC of greater than 20,000/mm3. By day 5, all 20 patients achieved a PC of greater than 50,000. IVMP is highly effective in rapidly raising the PC in acute ITP above the critical level of 20,000, thereby reducing the duration of risk for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).