Therapeutic Response in Children with Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura

Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder triggered by antiplatelet autoantibodies. Without prompt treatment and close monitoring, the condition could worsen, potentially resulting in fatal consequences. Clinically, ITP is classified into three phases including Newly-Diagnosed ITP, Persistent ITP, and Chronic ITP, each with distinct durations and therapy implications. In ITP patients, platelet counts decrease, accompanied by abnormal shifts in platelet indices, including Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW), Platelet Large Cell Ratio (P-LCR), and Plateletcrit (PCT). Thus, therapeutic response in ITP patients can be evaluated through increased platelet counts and normalization of platelet indices. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic response of platelet counts and platelet indices in pediatric ITP patients by comparing pre- and post- therapy levels. This retrospective study included ITP patients under 18 years old at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, conducted from September 2023 to March 2024. Platelet count and platelet indices pre- and post-therapy levels were analyzed using the Paired T-test for normally distributed data and the Wilcoxon test for non-normally distributed data, with significance set at p < 0.05. In summary, there were notable changes in the pre- and post-therapy levels of platelet, MPV, PDW, P-LCR, and PCT in each ITP category and for all therapies. Platelet count and PCT increased, while MPV, PDW, and P-LCR decreased. Patients treated with prednisone exhibited the best therapeutic response. Among the categories, Newly Diagnosed ITP demonstrated the most optimal therapeutic response. Overall, ITP therapy led to significant differences between pre- and post-therapy levels, marked by an increase in platelet counts and normalization of platelet indices.