Watch and Wait: Why doing nothing is sometimes the best medicine.

For many parents, hearing that their child has ITP is overwhelming. But what can feel even more confronting is being told that the best approach might be to “watch and wait.”In this episode of Beyond the Count, Danielle Boyle is joined by paediatric haematologist Dr Melanie Jackson to explain why observation-based care is often the safest and most appropriate first step for children with ITP.Together, they discuss:What “watch and wait” actually means in real lifeWhy many children recover without treatmentHow clinicians assess bleeding risk rather than relying on platelet counts aloneThe signs and symptoms parents should be monitoring at homeWhen treatment becomes necessary and what that looks likeHow to support your child to live as normally and safely as possibleThis episode provides clear, practical guidance for parents navigating early diagnosis. It helps reframe “doing nothing” as active, evidence-based care, while giving families the tools and confidence to monitor, support, and advocate for their child.Support the showThanks for listening to Beyond the CountFor more information, resources and lived experiences about Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), visit ITPANZ.org.au.📱 Follow us on social media:Instagram: @ITP_ANZFacebook: facebook.com/ITPANZ LinkedIn: ITP Australia & New ZealandYouTube: @ITPANZ🎧 Subscribe to Beyond the Count on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.Do you have feedback or a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at [email protected]