Incidence and Characteristics of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Pediatric Patients at Herat Regional Hospital

Objectives: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune hematologic disorder frequently seen in pediatric populations, often following viral infections. While global incidence patterns are documented, regional data from Afghanistan remain scarce. This study aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and treatment outcomes of pediatric ITP patients at Herat Regional Hospital in 2023. Methods: A descriptive retrospective case series study was conducted using convenience sampling. Medical records of 68 pediatric patients diagnosed with ITP in 2023 were reviewed. Data were collected from hospital registries and analyzed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics. Results: Among 534 hemorrhagic disorder admissions, 68 (12.7%) were ITP cases. Most patients were male (67.6%) and under 10 years old (83.8%). Most presented with acute ITP (88.2%) and moderate disease severity (54.4%). Platelet counts ranged from <20,000/mm³ to 120,000/mm³, with 54.4% between 20,000–50,000/mm³. Clinical presentations included epistaxis, petechiae, and ecchymosis (52.9%). Corticosteroids were administered to 61.8% of patients; of these, 78.5% responded positively, mainly within 3 days. Blood transfusions were required in 55.9% of cases. Recent upper respiratory infections were documented in 52.9% of patients, and 22.1% had other viral illnesses. Chronic ITP was observed in 11.8% of cases. Conclusion: Pediatric ITP at Herat Regional Hospital is primarily acute, self-limiting, and affects younger children. Most patients respond well to corticosteroids, though a notable portion required transfusions. These findings highlight the importance of timely diagnosis and support the need for localized treatment guidelines.