Dental considerations on the management of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in children: case report

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a hematological disease characterized by decreased number of blood platelets. Clinically, children with ITP may present petechiae, ecchymoses, haematuria, epistaxis and occasionally hemorrhage. Oral manifestations include spontaneous gingival bleeding, petechiae or hematomas of the mucosa, palate and tongue. It is important for dentists to be aware of ITP in order to properly recognize this condition and offer the adequate treatment to the patient. The aim of this report was, therefore, to relate the case of a 4-year-old patient with acute ITP, to review its main clinical signs in children and describe the management of these patients at the dental office.