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Author Spotlight: Deciphering Coagulation Disorders in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
Published on: August 4, 2023
Trauma induced hypercoagulablity in pediatric patients
Mark L Ryan1, Robert M Van Haren1, Chad M Thorson1
1Dewitt-Daughtry Department of Surgery, Divisions of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Insights
Pediatric trauma induces a hypercoagulable state, characterized by accelerated clotting and elevated markers like d-dimer. Further research is needed to understand the clinical significance and establish pediatric reference ranges for coagulation factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric hematology
- Trauma critical care
- Hemostasis and thrombosis
Background:
- Coagulation changes in pediatric trauma are not well understood.
- Existing adult reference ranges may not apply to children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate coagulation alterations in pediatric trauma patients.
- To test the hypothesis that trauma induces a hypercoagulable state in children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of hospitalized children (8 months to 14 years).
- Coagulation assessed using thromboelastography (TEG) and clotting factor assays.
- Comparison between trauma patients and uninjured controls.
Main Results:
- Trauma patients showed significantly higher prothrombin time (PT) and accelerated TEG clotting time and fibrin cross-linking.
- Elevated d-dimer, Prothrombin Fragment 1+2, and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 were observed in trauma patients.
- Reduced Protein S activity and a high proportion of abnormal TEG/clotting factor values in pediatric controls compared to adult ranges.
Conclusions:
- Minor trauma in children is associated with a hypercoagulable state.
- Further investigation is required to determine the functional significance of these findings.
- Establishing normal pediatric reference ranges for coagulation parameters is essential.
Purpose:
Coagulation changes in pediatric trauma patients are not well defined. To fill this gap, we tested the hypothesis that trauma evokes a hypercoagulable response.
Methods:
A prospective observational study was conducted in hospitalized patients (age 8months to 14years) admitted for trauma or elective surgery. Informed consent was obtained from the parents and informed assent was obtained in patients 7years of age or older. Coagulation changes were evaluated on fresh whole blood using thromboelastography (TEG) and on stored plasma using assays for special clotting factors.
Results:
Forty three patients (22 trauma, median injury severity score =9; and 21 uninjured controls) were evaluated. For trauma vs control, prothrombin time (PT) was higher by about 10% (p<0.001), but activated partial thromboplastin time was not altered. TEG clotting time (R;p=0.005) and fibrin cross-linking were markedly accelerated (K time, alpha angle; p<0.001) relative to the control patients. d-Dimer, Prothrombin Fragment 1+2, and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 were all elevated, whereas Protein S activity was reduced (all p<0.01). Importantly, a large fraction of TEG values and clotting factor assays in the pediatric control group were outside the published reference ranges for adults.
Conclusion:
A hypercoagulable state is associated with minor trauma in children. More work is needed to determine the functional significance of these changes and to establish normal pediatric reference ranges.
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