Childhood ITP
ITP children's book
Learning about immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and teaching your child, or a child you are looking after, about their condition can be a challenging task… “I’m not a bubble-wrap boy” has been written to support children with ITP and to help them explain to their friends and family members what life is like with ITP …and yes – it doesn’t have to mean being wrapped in bubble wrap!
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What is immune thrombocytopenia?
How would I know the symptoms of childhood ITP?
What treatments are available for children with ITP?
Download the free Novartis ITP Pocket Log App to keep track of your ITP
What is immune thrombocytopenia?
ITP is a condition that causes excessive bleeding and bruising due to blood not clotting properly.1 The condition is usually caused by something going wrong with the immune system, resulting in a lower number of platelets.1,2
Platelets are the tiny blood cells produced in the bone marrow that help blood clot, and stop bruising and bleeding after an injury.1,2
How common is childhood ITP?
Every year, around 4 in every 100,000 children develop ITP.3 It is also much more common in girls than in boys. In most cases a child’s platelet count will return to normal by itself, however, when this doesn’t occur, ITP is referred to as “chronic”.4 For those children (particularly younger children) who do go on to develop chronic ITP, many will, at some point, recover and regain a normal platelet count. In the case of an older child whose count doesn’t return to normal within 12 months, it is possible that they may have the adult version of the disease, at which point your healthcare professional will advise on the next steps. To find out more information on ITP in adults visit our Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) and ITP Patient Resources pages.
How would I know the symptoms of childhood ITP?
Most children with a platelet count that is less than 20 thousand million platelets per litre of blood will show symptoms of petechiae (pinprick blood spots under the skin) and limited bruising.5 Bruising can occur spontaneously on the skin or as a result of any minor knocks. Adolescent girls may also experience heavy periods.
A much less common, and potentially serious side effect of ITP, is spontaneous bleeds from the gut or brain. These bleeds are often a side effect of a rare pre-existing abnormality of the blood vessels in the head.5
Our videos below and additional resources have been developed in collaboration with the ITP Support Association, the UK charity supporting those affected by ITP, to help you understand more about your child’s ITP and prepare yourself and them for medical appointments effectively. They will help you gain greater insight into both the physical and psychological aspects of living with ITP, so you can better understand your child’s diagnosis and how they can Live Life with ITP.
How does ITP affect children?
If you have a child or are looking after a child with ITP, you will want to understand how their condition can affect them. Watch the short video below to see how ITP affects children differently, together with practical information and guidance on who to talk to about treatment, side-effects and managing a child’s everyday routine at home and school.
What treatments are available for children with ITP?
Most children with ITP will see improvements in their condition within 6 months, with or without treatment. Treatment may depend on the severity of symptoms. The short video below provides an overview of the different treatments available to treat children with ITP and how they work. Talk to your child’s doctor for further information on these treatments.
Can my child still have a normal social life?
Following an ITP diagnosis, your child should still be encouraged to take part in exercise and social activities, alongside getting back to school. However, precautions are required to limit any potential risks, for example, wearing protective gear when cycling. It is not advised for your child to take part in any contact sports or other activities where your child might risk a head/neck injury or endure severe bruising.
Download the free Novartis ITP Pocket Log App to keep track of your ITP
Living with ITP can be difficult and unpredictable. We have developed the ITP Pocket Log app in collaboration with the ITP Support Association, which you can download for free. The app has been created to support people affected by the condition by enabling them to record and track symptoms, and monitor the impact on their life over time.
Through the app you can record symptoms, test results and medications, and see symptoms displayed as a graph. This way, you and your care team can see progress over time and look for connections with other life events or treatments.
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You can also use the ITP Pocket Log app to:
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Take photos of your symptoms to share with your care team
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Access useful tools such as a calendar and a ‘More on ITP’ section
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Store your medical team’s contact details
To download the app, just search for “ITP Pocket Log” in the Google Play or Apple Stores.
Find out more about ITP on our immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) overview page
Want to learn more about ITP? You can follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels for regular information, updates and news
References:
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Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. ITP Information for Patients (2015) [Fact sheet]. Retrieved from: https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/12388Pitp.pdf Last Accessed: September 2021
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Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. (2020). Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia [Fact sheet]. Retrieved from: https://www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/ITP-in-ch.... Last Accessed: September 2021
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West Suffolk NHS Trust. Immune Thrombocytopenia (2018) Retrieved from: https://www.wsh.nhs.uk/CMS-Documents/Patient-leaflets/PaediatricDepartme... Last Accessed: September 2021
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Provan D et al. Updated international consensus report on the investigation and management of primary immune thrombocytopenia. Blood Adv 2019; 3 (22): 3780–3817. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000812
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Grainger J. ITP in children. What is Childhood ITP? Retrieved from: https://itpsupport.org.uk/index.php/en/information/itp-in-children Last Accessed: September 2021
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