Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

Hematology · ~5% of blueprint

Pathophysiology: Autoantibody-mediated platelet destruction → isolated thrombocytopenia.
Signs & Symptoms: Mucocutaneous bleeding — petechiae, purpura, easy bruising, epistaxis; otherwise well-appearing.
Gold Standard Diagnosis: Isolated low platelets with normal WBC/Hgb and an otherwise normal smear (diagnosis of exclusion).
First-line Treatment: Observe if mild; corticosteroids ± IVIG first-line; splenectomy or TPO agonists if refractory.

High-Yield Pearl

ITP = isolated thrombocytopenia with an otherwise normal CBC & smear (a diagnosis of exclusion).

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