ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a common childhood illness characterized by thrombocytopenia secondary to shortened platelet survival. Medical therapy includes corticosteroids, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), and IV Rho (D) immunoglobulin (anti-D). Individuals with Rh-negative blood generally do not respond to treatment with anti-D, but little information is currently available regarding the potential relationship between blood type and response to IVIG. This study was designed to characterize the relationship between ABO and Rh blood type and the response to IVIG in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed ITP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for 52 children and adolescents with newly diagnosed ITP initially treated with IVIG by the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in response rate or clinical outcome by ABO blood group or Rh type in children with ITP who received IVIG monotherapy as their initial treatment. CONCLUSIONS: ABO blood group and Rh type do not appear to be prognostic factors when IVIG monotherapy is the initial treatment for childhood ITP.
