The platelet-opsonizing effect of serum in ITP is shown to be in the IgG fraction only and specific for platelets, and it is therefore concluded to be related to antiplatelet antibodies. These antiplatelet antibodies were shown in the sera of all children with ITP in the thrombocytopenic period and in remission and can therefore be used for differentiation from secondary thrombocytopenias. Although the antibodies persist in remission, they decrease significantly. Since in each case the presence of antibodies specific to platelets has been shown, which is not the case in thrombocytopenias of autoimmune diseases, we suggest that the term ITP should be used as an abbreviation for immune thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood.

Keywords: antiplatelet antibodies, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, immune thrombocytopenic purpura