The impact of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection on platelets in children with immune thrombocytopenia: a real-world study from China

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), as one of the susceptible pathogens during childhood, may lead to severe mycoplasmal pneumonia and affect platelet fluctuations. We prospectively collected data on persistent/chronic ITP children who were infected with M. pneumoniae infection from August 2023 to December 2023. There were 64 patients (40 males) with a median age of 7.08 years (range 4.30 to 9.76) enrolled in this study. Overall, 33 (51.6%) children received TPO-RAs therapy and 31 (48.4%) received other treatments. The impact of M. pneumoniae infection on platelet count is bidirectional, but thrombocytopenia remains predominant. During M. pneumoniae infection, platelet changes in the TPO-RA group were higher than in the non-TPO-RA group. Thrombocytosis was observed in 6 patients (5 in the TPO-RA group vs. 1 in the non-TPO-RA group). Rescue treatment was implemented in 18 patients (7 in the TPO-RA group vs. 11 in the non-TPO-RA group). Monitoring platelets should be strengthened during M. pneumoniae infection.