Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients have a decreased number of platelets; however, not all patients have severe bleeding.
A recently published single-site study of 57 pediatric ITP patients (mean age 9.9 years) suggests that some platelet markers are associated with bleeding severity. After adjusting for platelet count, researchers found that lower bleeding scores were associated with higher levels of thrombin receptor activing peptide (TRAP)-stimulated P-selectin and the activation of GPIIb-IIIa positive platelets. Higher bleeding scores were associated with increased levels of immature platelet fraction, TRAP-stimulated platelet surface CD42b, unstimulated P-selectin, and platelet forward light scatter. Platelet function tests and platelet markers associated with severe bleeding may help guide treatment decisions in ITP patients; however, follow-up studies are needed to determine if these markers are consistent overtime.
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