ORAL MEGADOSE METHYLPREDNISOLONE VERSUS INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN FOR ACUTE CHILDHOOD IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA

Twenty children with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were randomized to receive either oral megadose methylprednisolone (MDMP) or intravenous immunoglobulin G (IV IgG). Normal platelet counts (greater-than-or-equal-to 150 x 10(9)/l) were obtained in 6 patients of each group in 3 days and in 8 and 9 patients treated with oral MDMP and with IV IgG within 1 week, respectively. It is concluded that oral MDMP could easily be used for the early elevation of platelet counts, which is important for ITP treatment.