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Volume 18, Issue 3 (September-2026 2026)
Iranian Journal of Blood and Cancer 2026, 18(3): 1-8 |
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Malek F, Momtazmanesh N, Kamfarr S, Eghbali A, Tavajohi K. Seven-Day Versus 21-Day Oral Prednisolone in Children with Newly Diagnosed Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. , Iranian Journal of Blood and Cancer. 2026; 18 (3) :1-8
URL: http://ijbc.ir/article-1-1939-en.html
URL: http://ijbc.ir/article-1-1939-en.html
1- Pediatric Congenital Hematologic Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Children’s Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Aliasghar Clinical Research Development Center, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3- Aliasghar Clinical Research Development Center, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ,khtavajohi@gmail.com
2- Aliasghar Clinical Research Development Center, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3- Aliasghar Clinical Research Development Center, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ,
Abstract: (24 Views)
Background: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in children is often self-limiting, yet the risk of severe bleeding necessitates treatment. Corticosteroids remain the standard first-line therapy, though the optimal duration remains uncertain.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of a short-course oral prednisolone regimen with the conventional extended regimen in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed ITP.
Methods: In this open-label, randomized trial, 69 children aged 2 to 8 years with newly diagnosed ITP received either prednisolone 2 mg/kg/day for 7 days (short course) or 14 days followed by tapering to day 21 (extended course). Platelet counts were measured at baseline and on days 2, 7, 30, and 60.
Results: Thirty-five patients were randomized to the short course and 34 to the extended course. Platelet responses did not differ significantly at any time point (all p > 0.05). Complete response occurred in 80% and 85.3% of patients, respectively (p = 0.78). Baseline platelet count was the only independent predictor of response (p = 0.01).
Conclusion: A 7-day high-dose prednisolone regimen provides efficacy comparable to a 21-day extended course while minimizing cumulative corticosteroid exposure. These findings support short-course therapy as an effective, guideline-consistent first-line option in pediatric ITP.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of a short-course oral prednisolone regimen with the conventional extended regimen in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed ITP.
Methods: In this open-label, randomized trial, 69 children aged 2 to 8 years with newly diagnosed ITP received either prednisolone 2 mg/kg/day for 7 days (short course) or 14 days followed by tapering to day 21 (extended course). Platelet counts were measured at baseline and on days 2, 7, 30, and 60.
Results: Thirty-five patients were randomized to the short course and 34 to the extended course. Platelet responses did not differ significantly at any time point (all p > 0.05). Complete response occurred in 80% and 85.3% of patients, respectively (p = 0.78). Baseline platelet count was the only independent predictor of response (p = 0.01).
Conclusion: A 7-day high-dose prednisolone regimen provides efficacy comparable to a 21-day extended course while minimizing cumulative corticosteroid exposure. These findings support short-course therapy as an effective, guideline-consistent first-line option in pediatric ITP.
Keywords: Pediatric immune thrombocytopenia, Prednisolone, Short-course therapy, Extended regimen, Randomized clinical trial
: Original Article |
Subject:
Pediatric Hematology & Oncology
Received: 2026/07/13 | Accepted: 2026/09/12 | Published: 2026/09/30
Received: 2026/07/13 | Accepted: 2026/09/12 | Published: 2026/09/30
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