ABSTRACT
Autoimmune idiopathic thrombocytopenia (AITP) is a disorder of low platelet counts in which antibodies directed against platelet and megakaryocyte surface proteins cause platelet destruction in reticuloendothelial organs and inhibit platelet production. 1 , 2 A compensatory increase in marrow megakaryocytes is an important diagnostic hallmark but is often not observed. Platelet destruction outpaces platelet production, leading to varying degrees of thrombocytopenia. Acute AITP is more common in children than adults and usually has a short self-limited course following an acute viral infection. 3 , 4 Chronic AITP is more common in adults and is frequently refractory to conventional therapies. 5 , 6 Chronic AITP is typically idiopathic (although it may be associated with a variety of other autoimmune disorders or lymphoproliferative diseases). 7-12
