Usually, no other abnormal findings are present. In children, the disease is sometimes preceded by a viral infection and runs its course without treatment. In adults, it is usually a chronic disease and rarely follows a viral infection. ITP affects women more frequently than men and is more common in children than adults. There is no sex difference in children.
Risk factors are unknown.
The incidence is 1 out of 10,000 people. In children, the disease often runs its course without treatment. In adults, initial treatment with prednisone is given. The spleen is the major site of platelet destruction, so a splenectomy will resolve the thrombocytopenia in most people. People with ITP should avoid taking aspirin or ibuprofen , because bleeding may occur.