Fifteen children with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura were treated with interferon alpha 2a with a 3 mil/m2 dose 3 times weekly for a total of 15 doses.

In 10 children after the end of the therapy very good or good therapeutic response was observed and the count of thrombocytes increased over 100,0× 10/9/1 or over 50,0 × 10/9/1.

Very good or good therapeutic response was observed in 8 children half year after the end of the therapy. In 7 children the count of thrombocytes was less then 50,0 × 10/9/1. We observed only transitory increases of body temperature and tansaminase elevations as accessory consequences.

The possibility of non-residential therapy seems to be a big advantage of this therapy. Therapy with interferon alpha 2a is one of possibilities of the therapy for this complicated illness in childhood.