What is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura?

Also known as: ITP, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

"Idiopathic" means cause unknown. "Thrombocytopenia" means a low platelet count. Platelets are blood cells that help blood clot thereby stopping bleeding. "Purpura" is the purple color of the skin (like a bruise) seen when bleeding into the skin occurs.

There are 2 forms of the blood disorder called Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP:

• Acute thrombocytopenic purpura
• Chronic thrombocytopenic purpura

---

Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM