Immune thrombocytopenic purpura, which may lead to bleeding, is typically caused by
antibodies directed against the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. Since the management
of the disorder is different for children and adults, the authors of this up-to-date review
provide separate sections on the two age groups. Along with advances in management, they
also discuss the current understanding of pathophysiology and, in particular, the way in
which autoantibodies against platelets are generated.