It is also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura is a condition that affects women more frequently than men and is more common in children than in adults, being that at this stage of life, affects both sexes equally.
It is one of the types of vascular hemorrhage, characterized by the presence of too few platelets in blood; mainly due to a reaction of the immune system itself causes its destruction.
It is unknown what their origin, but occurs when immune system cells called lymphocytes, produce antibodies against platelets and destroy them.
Platelets are blood cells whose function is to prevent blood clotting and bleeding, and getting together to plug small holes or injuries that occur in damaged blood vessels.
When the immune system produces antibodies, platelets are destroyed in the spleen and blood it is devoid of them.
The result of having low platelets can be: a characteristic skin rash that has bruises of various sizes with ease. Also in women may occur or abnormal menstrual bleeding in some people may have sudden bleeding from severe gastrointestinal tract, which can cause severe anemia.
In children sometimes purple occurs after a viral infection runs its course without specific treatment.
In adults, usually presents as a chronic disease that can begin after a viral infection or by the use of certain medications, pregnancy or other immune system disorders.
