The importance of the immature platelet count for effectively managing immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) treatment and assessing the risk of bleeding

The immature platelet fraction (IPF) is a well-established haematological parameter and is defined as the percentage of newly released immature (or ‘reticulated’) platelets in relation to the total platelet count. It is well accepted that increased IPF values are likely to indicate hereditary, consumptive or recovering thrombocytopenic disorders whereas a normal-to-low IPF is seen in aplastic states. As such, IPF helps physicians differentiate between thrombocytopenia caused by platelet destruction/consumption and thrombocytopenia caused by compromised platelet production.