Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura an Overview for School Professionals
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
An overview for school professionals
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is an acquired bleeding disorder that is caused by abnormally low levels of platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clotting.
What are some common symptoms of ITP? Easy bruising of skin, mouth, gums Petechiae (red dots on the skin from broken capillaries) Nose bleeding, bleeding gums Prolonged bleeding after cuts or surgery Bleeding with dental work Blood in urine or stool
What type of support plan is appropriate for a student with ITP? Students with ITP may require an Individual Healthcare Plan or a 504 Plan. In the event that a 504 Plan in required, the diagnosis of ITP gives reasonable cause to bypass the SST process, which will allow you to provide immediate accommodations to the student. All teachers who provide instruction for your student should be made aware of these accommodations.
What accommodations are necessary for a student with ITP? ATTENDANCE: The medical management of ITP may require frequent visits to the doctor’s office or hospital for evaluations, laboratory testing and possibly treatments. Please consider the following attendance accommodations: suspension of attendance requirements for absences due to medical appointments and illness, including allowances for student to participate in extra-curricular programs and events without penalty due to absences. partial-day attendance, as necessary ASSIGNMENTS: In the event that a student is absent, it is important for teacher and parents to ensure that student receive assignments in a timely manner so student does not get further behind. a system for providing advance assignments to the parent or student for absences due to planned medical appointments a system for providing make-up assignments in a timely manner when patient is absent due to illness or hospitalization extra time to make up missed assignments ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS: Student’s with ITP may attend school and participate in most activities. They may participate in sports that are of low risk for bleeding such as physical education, walking, light jogging, light calisthenics, swimming. However, they should be excused from all contact sports and all activities that involve high risk of traumatic injury, such as football, basketball, gymnastics, hockey, etc. BLEEDING PRECAUTIONS: Student’s with ITP are at an increased risk for bleeding. Minor cuts or scrapes: Give routine First Aid as for any other child for minor external bleeding such as a small cut or scrap and clean with soap and water, apply pressure and ice for 5-20 minutes, elevate and cover. If bleeding continues or a lump forms despite above, call the parents as further treatment may be indicated.
Oozing from a Cut in the Mouth or from around a Tooth: Apply gloves and use crushed ice to make an ice compress and apply continuous pressure for 20 minutes. One may also apply a wet tea bag to the area as a compress for 20 minutes. If no response, call the parents as further treatment may be necessary. Nosebleeds: o Tilt head slightly forward and have the child sit down. o Apply firm pressure by pressing the sides of the nose together. It may require up to 20 minutes of uninterrupted pressure to stop the bleed. o A small ice pack may also be applied to the bridge of the nose. o If continues for > 20 minutes call the parents. o Vomiting may occur if blood is ingested. Severe Traumatic Injury: If a student has had a head, abdominal or other severe injury, s/he should be brought to the nearest emergency department for STAT CT scan.
The list of accommodations above is not meant to be exhaustive; each student's unique needs will dictate the appropriate accommodations to be listed in his/her healthcare plan.
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