Archives of disease in childhood
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A UK survey was carried out to discover the frequency, circumstances, and outcome of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) complicating idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) of childhood. A questionnaire was circulated through the membership of the UK Paediatric Haematology Forum, and thence to local paediatricians and haematologists. It sought information on any child with ITP who had had an ICH during the 20 year period to January 1994. ⋯ ICH in childhood ITP may have a precipitating cause and is not necessarily fatal. There is no period of maximum risk, and it can occur at any time during the course of the illness when the platelet count is less than 10-15 x 10(9)/l. It is an extremely rare event and previous estimates of its incidence may have been too high.