Question
A four-year-old boy developed a persistent high fever due to viral flu. After four days of treatment, the fever still recurs. During a routine blood test at the hospital, it was found that his platelet count had dropped to 53 (the normal range is 100-300), with a C-reactive protein (CRP) level of 11 and a reticulocyte count of 0.4. As the platelet count has not yet recovered, what should be done?
Answer
In this situation, the most common cause of thrombocytopenia is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a blood system disorder of unknown etiology, usually related to the immune system. It is recommended that parents take their child to a local regular hospital for a bone marrow biopsy to confirm the condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Before diagnosis, it is advisable to avoid self-medication and closely monitor the child’s condition changes.