Predictive value of response to steroid therapy on response to splenectomy in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Background Many but not all studies suggest that a favorable response to preoperative steroid therapy predicts a successful outcome after splenectomy in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The purpose of this study is to further examine the relationship between steroid response and outcome after splenectomy in children. Methods After institutional review board approval, records of children undergoing splenectomy for ITP were reviewed. Patients’ responses were determined by platelet counts and grouped by complete response (CR; ≥150,000/μL), partial response (PR; 149,999– ≥50,000/μL), or no response (NR;