Findings that support the diagnosis of ITP | Findings that suggest an alternative diagnosis | |
Finding | Potential alternative diagnoses | |
History and clinical presentation | ||
Previously healthy child with abrupt onset of petechiae and easy bruising; otherwise well-appearing Antecedent viral illness or vaccination (noted in approximately 60% of cases) No systemic signs or symptoms other than mucocutaneous bleeding | Systemic symptoms (eg, fever, anorexia, weight loss, bone or joint pain, nonpetechial rashes, gastrointestinal symptoms, headaches) |
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History of recurrent infections and/or growth failure |
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Family history of thrombocytopenia or bleeding problems |
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Examination | ||
Normal examination other than mucocutaneous bleeding (petechiae, bruises) | Lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly |
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Dysmorphic features, skeletal abnormalities (eg, short stature, thumb and forearm abnormalities), abnormal skin pigmentation, deafness, or cataract |
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Laboratory features | ||
Isolated thrombocytopenia (no RBC or WBC abnormalities on CBC or peripheral blood smear)* | Concomitant RBC and/or WBC abnormalities on CBC and/or peripheral blood smear* |
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Platelet count at presentation is usually <30,000/microL (often <20,000/microL) | Mild thrombocytopenia (ie, platelet count >30,000/microL) |
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Normal platelet size on peripheral blood smear; normal to mildly elevated MPV | Giant or small platelets |
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Previous normal platelet count | Low platelet count noted on previous CBCs without ever having a documented normal platelet count |
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AIHA: autoimmune hemolytic anemia; ALPS: autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome; CBC: complete blood count; CMV: cytomegalovirus; CVID: common variable immunodeficiency; EBV: Epstein-Barr virus; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; HUS: hemolytic uremic syndrome; MPV: mean platelet volume; RBC: red blood cell; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; TTP: thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; WAS: Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome; WBC: white blood cell.
* Anemia may be seen in children with considerable ITP-related bleeding (eg, epistaxis or heavy menstrual bleeding), and the WBC count may be modestly elevated or decreased in children with antecedent or ongoing viral infections. Anemia out of proportion to blood loss, marked leukocytosis or leukopenia, or pancytopenia should prompt consideration of alternative diagnoses. Findings on peripheral smear that are inconsistent with ITP include early WBC forms (blasts), schistocytes, spherocytes, and giant platelets.