Retrospective analysis of 472 Chinese children with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a single center experience.

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and management of 472 Chinese children (age 1~14 years) with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The distribution of cases by age showed a maximum at 4 years and more patients below 7 years old than between 7 and 14 years old had ITP (337, 71.4% vs. 135, 28.6%). Variable bleeding signs occurred in this series of patients. Steroids therapy was effective for Chinese children with chronic ITP whether as first- or second-line therapy. Traditional Chinese medicine was less effective than steroids.