A 4-year-old boy develops widespread bruising on his shins and trunk and a crop of pinpoint red spots on his legs over three days, two weeks after a cold. He is otherwise well, playing normally, with no fever, bone pain or lethargy. Examination shows no pallor, no lymphadenopathy and no hepatosplenomegaly; there is no bleeding from the gums or nose. Full blood count: haemoglobin 124 g/L, white cell count 7.9 × 10⁹/L with a normal differential, platelets 11 × 10⁹/L; the blood film shows large platelets and no abnormal cells.
Which one of the following is the most appropriate management?
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