BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a well-known side effect of heparin therapy, occurs in 1% to 5% of adults exposed to heparin. Of those, about 29% to 88% develop thrombosis. Most data on HIT-associated thrombosis in children are confined to anecdotal reports. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of HIT-associated thrombosis in heparin-exposed children. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study on all patients admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit between August 1996 and January 1999. Patients who received heparin for >/=5 days were eligible. Within these patients, we identified all cases of radiologically confirmed thrombosis. Cases of thrombosis were reviewed for fulfillment of clinical HIT criteria. HIT-associated thrombosis was confirmed serologically by determination of levels of antibodies against heparin/platelet factor 4 complexes. RESULTS: Of 1950 children admitted during the study period, 612 were exposed to heparin for >/=5 days. Thrombosis occurred in 57 patients (9.3%). Plasma samples were available for 38 cases, of which 14 satisfied clinical HIT-criteria. Calculated incidence rate for HIT-associated thrombosis: 2.3%, (95% confidence interval: 1.3%-3.9%, for patients exposed to heparin >/=5 days). Nine patients suffered from venous, 2 patients from arterial, and 3 had combined arterial and venous thrombosis. None of the 14 patients died or underwent amputation. Six patients had heparin and platelet factor 4-complex antibody levels above the cutoff level for adults. The remaining 8 patients had significantly higher antibody levels than a matched control group. CONCLUSION: Compared with that reported for adults, HIT-associated thrombosis in pediatric intensive care unit patients has a similar incidence but a less severe outcome.
BACKGROUND:Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a well-known side effect of heparin therapy, occurs in 1% to 5% of adults exposed to heparin. Of those, about 29% to 88% develop thrombosis. Most data on HIT-associated thrombosis in children are confined to anecdotal reports. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of HIT-associated thrombosis in heparin-exposed children. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study on all patients admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit between August 1996 and January 1999. Patients who received heparin for >/=5 days were eligible. Within these patients, we identified all cases of radiologically confirmed thrombosis. Cases of thrombosis were reviewed for fulfillment of clinical HIT criteria. HIT-associated thrombosis was confirmed serologically by determination of levels of antibodies against heparin/platelet factor 4 complexes. RESULTS: Of 1950 children admitted during the study period, 612 were exposed to heparin for >/=5 days. Thrombosis occurred in 57 patients (9.3%). Plasma samples were available for 38 cases, of which 14 satisfied clinical HIT-criteria. Calculated incidence rate for HIT-associated thrombosis: 2.3%, (95% confidence interval: 1.3%-3.9%, for patients exposed to heparin >/=5 days). Nine patients suffered from venous, 2 patients from arterial, and 3 had combined arterial and venous thrombosis. None of the 14 patients died or underwent amputation. Six patients had heparin and platelet factor 4-complex antibody levels above the cutoff level for adults. The remaining 8 patients had significantly higher antibody levels than a matched control group. CONCLUSION: Compared with that reported for adults, HIT-associated thrombosis in pediatric intensive care unit patients has a similar incidence but a less severe outcome.
Authors: Paul Monagle; Anthony K C Chan; Neil A Goldenberg; Rebecca N Ichord; Janna M Journeycake; Ulrike Nowak-Göttl; Sara K Vesely Journal: Chest Date: 2012-02 Impact factor: 9.410
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