In the early episodes of The Pitt Season 2, viewers are introduced to a perplexing case involving young Kylie Connors, portrayed by Annabelle Toomey. Kylie is brought into the emergency department with a split chin by her father’s girlfriend, Gina, played by Ino Badanjak. However, as Dr. Trinity Santos, depicted by Isa Briones, begins her treatment, she notices additional bruises and a troubling history of injuries on the child.

The latest episode of HBO Max’s The Pitt sheds light on the true circumstances surrounding Kylie Connors and her father, Benny, played by Patrick Mulvey. This revelation even catches Dr. Santos off guard.

**Spoilers for The Pitt Season 2 Episode 3, titled “9 AM,” currently available on HBO Max**

Following weeks of insinuations suggesting that Kylie might be suffering from abuse at the hands of her single father, the show unveils the real issue: Kylie suffers from immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This medical condition results in a low platelet count, making her more prone to bruising and injuries.

Kylie’s diagnosis provides a sense of relief to viewers, albeit highlighting Dr. Trinity Santos’s tendency to assume the worst-case scenario.

“One of [Santos’s] superpowers is that she can really sense certain things that other people don’t. I think she can really have a good radar for when someone is really not well and vulnerable and can really care for those people,” The Pitt star Isa Briones told DECIDER. “But I also think sometimes she can really jump to a worst case scenario because of a very negative view of the world.”

In The Pitt Season 1, we learned that Santos was a survivor of sexual abuse. Briones shared with DECIDER that Santos came from the world of competitive gymnastics, a sport still reeling from the horrific revelations of the Larry Nassar case.

“She has seen a very ugly side of things, but sometimes I think that baggage can be brought to work in a way that is not always helpful,” Briones said.

“We’ve talked to medical professionals throughout this process, all of it is there. Sometimes it’s like, ‘Oh, wow, because of that experience, I’m able to notice things that other people don’t.’ And sometimes it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m putting my own thing on this thing that it’s actually so much simpler and it doesn’t have to go that far, that deep,’” she said. “But it’s just her still figuring it out.”

Briones added that we’re “really seeing her humbled” this season, thanks to storylines like Kylie’s and Santos’s ongoing battle to catch up on her paperwork.

“Even though she is no longer an intern, she’s going up in the ranks, she still is learning. Residents are still always learning,” Briones said. “Yeah, I think she’s just still taking it day by day and kind of being reminded, like, ‘All right, stay in the flow. Don’t act like you know everything.’”

Still don’t know everything you want to know about ITP? Here’s what’s actually wrong with Kylie Connors on The Pitt...

What is ITP? What is Actually Wrong with Kylie Connors in The Pitt Season 3?

ITP stands for immune thrombocytopenia, an illness where patients have a low platelet count. Platelets are a type of blood cell that causes clotting, something important for your body to stop bleeding and form healing scabs. People with ITP often bruise easily and bleed more than others.

Kylie’s low platelet count confirms that she was not being abused. Her many injuries and bruises were caused by her ITP.

ITP is relatively easy to treat. Doctors may prescribe steroids or other medications. Kylie likely has to stay longer in the hospital for a platelet transfusion. Kids who develop ITP often get over it within a few weeks or months with the right treatment. If Kylie’s ITP becomes chronic, she may need medication into adulthood, but it is manageable.