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Disseminated intravascular coagulation complicating systemic juvenile chronic arthritis ("Still's disease")
Clinical Rheumatology
|December 1, 1983
Insights
Systemic juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in children. Prompt treatment of infections and clotting factors improves outcomes for JCA patients with DIC.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Hematology
Background:
- Systemic juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) is a significant autoimmune condition in children.
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a life-threatening complication that can arise in various pediatric illnesses.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases of JCA complicated by acute DIC are presented.
- One case resulted in fatal acute renal failure and cerebral hemorrhage.
- The second case demonstrated a favorable recovery.
Findings:
- Early identification and management of the precipitating cause, often infection, are crucial.
- Timely replacement of depleted clotting factors is essential for patient survival.
Implications:
- This highlights the critical need for vigilant monitoring of JCA patients for DIC development.
- Aggressive management strategies targeting both the underlying cause and coagulation abnormalities can improve JCA-DIC patient prognoses.
Abstract:
Two children suffering from systemic juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) complicated by acute disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) are described. One had a fatal outcome with acute renal failure and cerebral haemorrhage; the other recovered. Early recognition and treatment of the underlying cause - usually an infection - as well as replacement of clotting factors are important in management.