The immune system is meant to protect the body from foreign invaders. A rare condition called immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) occurs when the body’s defense system becomes confused and targets healthy blood cells. The body starts destroying its own platelets, leading to bleeding. The severity can range from simple nosebleeds to life-threatening bleeding in the brain or gastrointestinal tract. Baylor College of Medicine researchers at Texas Children’s Hospital are working to find out if a drug used for the chronic form of ITP could be used early in the disease course and improve outcomes.
- By Molly Chiu for bcm.edu (Baylor College of Medicine). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.