Who Is At Risk for Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura?

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare condition. About 1,200 new cases occur each year in the United States.

Most cases of TTP are the acquired type. Acquired TTP mostly occurs in adults, but it can affect children. The condition is seen more often in women than in men.

Inherited TTP mainly affects newborns and children. Most people who have inherited TTP begin to have symptoms soon after birth. Some, however, don’t have their first episode of disease until they’re adults.

What triggers TTP isn’t known, but some factors may play a role. These include:

• Diseases and conditions such as pregnancy, cancer, HIV, infection, and lupus
• Medical procedures such as surgery and bone marrow transplant
• Medicines such as chemotherapy, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, cyclosporine A, and hormone replacement therapy and estrogens