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Complications of therapeutic apheresis in children

Abdurrahman Kara1, Seda Turgut, Adnan Cağlı

  • 1Ankara Pediatric and Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Apheresis Unit, Ankara, Turkey. trbabdurrahman@yahoo.com.tr

Transfusion and Apheresis Science : Official Journal of the World Apheresis Association : Official Journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis
|May 21, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Therapeutic apheresis in children is associated with minimal complications, primarily mild allergic reactions. Careful planning and experienced teams ensure successful pediatric apheresis procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Hematology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Therapeutic apheresis (TA) equipment is primarily designed for adults, raising concerns about higher complication risks in pediatric patients.
  • Limited data exists on the safety and efficacy of TA in children, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively analyze complications during TA in pediatric patients.
  • To evaluate the safety profile of TA procedures in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 50 TA sessions in 14 pediatric patients (aged 20 months to 16 years) between April 2010 and May 2012.
  • Procedures included plasma exchange and leukodepletion.

Main Results:

  • Four patients experienced complications, including one vascular access issue and two cases of urticaria.
  • Other reported complications were abdominal pain and chilling; no major complications occurred.
  • Minimal or mild allergic reactions were successfully managed with medication.

Conclusions:

  • Therapeutic apheresis in children can be performed with minimal complications when planned meticulously and executed by experienced teams.
  • Erythrocyte prime is beneficial for extracorporeal volume management during pediatric TA.
Abstract

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