ITP is back? Now What?

I am new here and need some insight and support I am lost and devastated. In September of 2014 my daughter, Averilyn , who was one week shy of 6 months old was diagnosed with ITP she had a platelet count of 4 and had the red spots and bruising on face arms and legs. She was hospitalized that day for 3 days and received two rounds of IVIG slowly her numbers went up. I asked where had this come from was it a medicine she just took what was it? Her oncologist assured me that it was a viral infection that SOMETIMES just happens. Averi needs tubes in her ears and I have been scared to go through the surgery. Well on March 12 she is released from the Oncology because she has gone 6 months with NO PROBLEM. She had not had her 6 month vaccines due to the IVIG, so on March19 we get vaccinated. Easter Sunday april 5 she has spots AGAIN!!! I took her to the Pediatrician and sure enough numbers are dropping... This sure points to the vaccines to me.. She has had several medications for RSV and allergies constant ear infections. Is it a medicine? Dr is going to recheck WED. but where do we go from here do I continue to vaccinate and hope she does not have a dangerous fall, even though she has started walking and falls constantly. Do I not vaccinate and then what is she contracts some horrible disease. Thank you for reading. I need support and ideas and questions so that I can ask the drs and oncologist. I called yesterday to ask now what? But they want to evaluate the lab work first. What should I expect the 2nd time around is it as scary not as dangerous will her count drop super low again??

Elvia:

No one really knows what causes ITP. Many times with children, it can be triggered by a medication (antibiotics, etc), an illness or a vaccine. The MMR is known to trigger ITP and that is stated in the literature. Your daughter seemed to have a few things going on with the illness, meds and vaccines, so it's hard to say. Sometimes it happens for no apparent reason. Knowing the cause will not change the situation. As for giving her future vaccines, you'd need to discuss that with her doctors. Maybe they can give one at time or slow them down. Sometimes you can't avoid a drop no matter what you do.

ITP is usually acute in children, but it can also be chronic and might be something you will deal with for a while. If so, there are ways to manage it. It's difficult with a child so young who is learning to walk, but many parents have successfully managed to get their children through it. The fear will eventually get better as you learn more about ITP.

Children with allergies tend to acquire ITP more often because they are prone to autoimmune problems. Are there any autoimmune disorders in your family? MS, thyroid, Lupus, etc.? It tends to run in families since there can be a genetic predisposition. It's also possible that this is just a fleeting thing. Only time will tell. She's young and has a good chance of having it go away for good.