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3 year old just diagnosed

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14 years 11 months ago #9023 by grasshopper
3 year old just diagnosed was created by grasshopper
My 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with ITP on Tuesday. Her platelet count is 14,000. The hospital aren't doing anything, but we have got another appointment in 3 months time for blood tests to check her again. She has had lots of very bad bruises for over a year, so I'm guessing she has had this for a while. We have been given a special number to phone a the hospital for if she hits her head or has bleeding that won't stop so we can take her in. How worried should we be about this? I have read that a count of less than 20,000 is quite serious. Also, does it have to be a bad head bang to take her in or just a small bang - she is toddler and very active so quite often hits her head?
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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14 years 11 months ago #9024 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re: 3 year old just diagnosed
Hello. Let me say that I'm glad you found us - there can be a lot to learn here.

14,000 is a low count. Your daughter should be checked before 3 months is up, that's for sure. At the very least, she should have a CBC every other week at this point. Some children handle low counts great and some do not. There is some debate on when to treat children that may depend on where you live. In the UK, they tend to watch and wait, and in the US, they tend to treat when counts are too low or symptoms are apparent.

It's good to be aware of head injuries, but you should also know that when counts are very low, there can be spontaneous cranial bleeds without injury. Does your daughter have a hematologist? If not, you should probably find one and get an appointment. You may get better direction.
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14 years 11 months ago #9029 by grasshopper
Replied by grasshopper on topic Re:3 year old just diagnosed
Thank you Sandi. We are in the UK and they are following the watch and wait approach. At the moment I would rather use the NHS rather than finding another specialist, but it does worry me though that she has no appointmtent until January. This is probably a stupid question, but how would I know if she had a cranial bleed without hitting her head?
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14 years 11 months ago #9036 by jaycharness
Replied by jaycharness on topic Re:3 year old just diagnosed
As we always say on this site, all Doctors are different. The most important thing is that you are comfortable with the game plan (and if not, discuss it). As for cranial bleeding, I would be sure to ask your Doctor (there are a lot of answers). Some of the things we have learned is red eyes, headaches and nausea/throwing up. Again, that is just some of the things I have learned (from a non-doctor)
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14 years 11 months ago #9045 by alisonp
Replied by alisonp on topic Re:3 year old just diagnosed
Hi Grasshopper

I am in the UK too, with a son who doesn't get treatment - as Sandi says, its a lot less common over here to treat. But I think that 3 months between tests is a long time for someone who has only just been diagnosed - my son had weekly tests at first, and over the last 18 months these have increased to 3 monthly, but his count (30ish) is higher than your daughters. He was also sent to see a haematologist at the children's hospital quite early on.

I know its difficult to do, but try not to worry too much about the head injury thing. Its really uncommon. And if you are right and your daughter has had ITP for a while, then she has coped so far with low platelets, and there is no reason that she wouldn't continue to do so.

Good luck, Ali
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