Final answer:
Treatment for ITP involves IVIG for children, which supplies artificially acquired passive immunity, and steroids for adults. Adults may require a splenectomy for chronic cases. First-line treatments differ due to the differing nature of ITP in children and adults.
The correct answer is option a) Children: IVIG; Adults: Splenectomy
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) varies between children and adults due to differences in disease manifestation and progression. For children, the primary treatment is often intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which provides artificially acquired passive immunity. IVIG can quickly increase the platelet count by altering the immune system's destruction of platelets. This treatment is effective in children who often have an acute form of ITP that often resolves on its own.
In contrast, adults with ITP generally suffer from a chronic form of the disorder and are often initially treated with steroids like prednisone to dampen the immune system's attack on platelets. Unlike in children, adult treatments may eventually escalate to more invasive procedures such as splenectomy if pharmacological treatments are not effective and the condition persists.
It is important to note that treatments such as rituximab and splenectomy are considered for more refractory cases of ITP, and the first-line treatments are typically those mentioned above.