Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clotting. People with the disease have too few platelets in the blood. ITP is sometimes called immune thrombocytopenic purpura or simply, immune thrombocytopenia.
sex-linked disorder - any disease or abnormality that is determined by the sex hormones; hemophilia is determined by a gene defect on an X chromosome. bleeder's disease, haemophilia, hemophilia - congenital tendency to uncontrolled bleeding; usually affects males and is transmitted from mother to son.
Sex-linked traits are genetic characteristics determined by genes, which are located on sex chromosomes. Genes are segments of DNA found on chromosomes that carry information for protein production and that are responsible for the inheritance of specific traits. Genes exist in alternative forms called alleles.