hematology and oncology
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
Symptoms and Signs of TTP
Hereditary cases often manifest in infancy and early childhood. Acquired cases typically occur among adults. Initial symptoms range from mild and gradual to acute and severe. Without treatment, the disease progresses and is often fatal. Anemia typically causes weakness and fatigue. Thrombocytopenia often causes purpura or bleeding. Manifestations of ischemia develop with varying severity in multiple organs. These manifestations include weakness, confusion, seizures, and/or coma, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and arrhythmias caused by myocardial damage. Fever does not usually occur. The symptoms and signs of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and Symptoms and Signs (HUS) are indistinguishable, except that neurologic symptoms are less common with HUS. 