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Antiplatelet therapy in children: why so different from adults'?

Pier Paolo Bassareo1, Vassilios Fanos, Nicoletta Iacovidou

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular and Neurological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy. piercard@inwind.it

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|May 9, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Antiplatelet agents are underutilized in children due to limited trials. This review explores their potential, indications, and safety for pediatric use, highlighting a neglected therapeutic area.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Antiplatelet agents are widely used in adults for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Pediatric use of antiplatelet therapy is limited by a lack of extensive clinical trials and uncertainty regarding indications.
  • This contrasts with the established role of these drugs in adult medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing studies on antiplatelet agent use in children.
  • To identify shared therapeutic indications for antiplatelet drugs in pediatric populations.
  • To summarize recommended dosages, contraindications, and potential side effects.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of studies involving antiplatelet agents in pediatric patients.
  • Analysis of identified studies to extract data on indications, dosing, and adverse events.
  • Synthesis of findings to provide a comprehensive overview of pediatric antiplatelet therapy.

Main Results:

  • Limited evidence exists for antiplatelet drug efficacy and safety in children.
  • Current pediatric indications are fewer compared to adults.
  • Data on optimal dosing, contraindications, and side effects in children are scarce.

Conclusions:

  • Antiplatelet agents have potential in pediatric medicine but are underused.
  • Further research, including large interventional trials, is needed to establish clear guidelines for pediatric use.
  • A better understanding of their role could improve management of pediatric thromboembolic conditions.

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