RhoGAM for ITP
Remember RhoGAM from one of my previous posts? Turns out it’s also used to raise the platelet count in patients with ITP, idiopathic thromocytopenic purpura. ITP is a bleeding condition in which the patient’s blood doesn’t clot as it should, due to, you guessed it, a lower-than-normal platelet count. A simple blood test can ascertain this. To break down the name: idiopathic = cause unknown, thrombocyte = platelet, -penia = lower-than-normal, purpura = purple bruises.There’s acute ITP and chronic ITP.
Acute ITP generally lasts less than 6 months. It mainly occurs in children, both boys and girls, and is the most common type of ITP. Acute ITP often occurs after an infection caused by a virus.
Chronic ITP is long-lasting (6 months or longer) and mostly affects adults. However, some teenagers and children can get this type of ITP. Chronic ITP affects women 2 to 3 times more often than men.
Treatment depends on how severe the bleeding symptoms are and the platelet count. In mild cases, treatment may not be needed. — NHLBI
There are other treatments for ITP, including RhoGAM.
I’m tired; wanna go back to watching funny videos!!