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Patients with ITP often present with symptoms of bleeding such as petechiae, purpura, nosebleeds, and in severe cases, internal bleeding or menorrhagia in women.

ITP is caused by antibody-mediated destruction of platelets primarily by the spleen and reduction in platelet production. Autoantibodies bind to platelet antigens, leading to their destruction by the immune system.

For patients not responding to first-line treatments, options include splenectomy to remove the primary site of platelet destruction, and immune suppressants like rituximab.

Serious complications of ITP include severe bleeding such as intracranial hemorrhage. Chronic ITP can lead to persistent low platelet levels and require ongoing treatment to prevent complications.

Emerging therapies include thrombopoietin receptor agonists that increase platelet production, and new immunomodulatory drugs targeting specific pathways in the immune system.

First-line treatments include corticosteroids to reduce immune system activity and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to block the destruction of platelets.

Diagnosis is typically made through a combination of patient history, physical examination, blood tests showing isolated thrombocytopenia, and exclusion of other causes of low platelet counts.