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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: August 18, 2015
[Prethrombosis in child malnutrition]
Insights
Severely malnourished children show significantly lower antithrombin III levels and a flat heparin antithrombin assay curve. This indicates a prethrombotic state, consistent with high thrombosis rates in childhood malnutrition.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Childhood malnutrition is associated with increased thrombotic events.
- Understanding the hemostatic balance in malnourished children is crucial.
Purpose:
- To investigate antithrombin III (AT III) levels and heparin cofactor activity in severely malnourished children.
- To assess the prethrombotic potential in this population.
Summary:
- Severely malnourished children (n=30) exhibited significantly depressed AT III levels compared to normal children (n=40).
- Heparin antithrombin assays revealed a flat curve in malnourished children, suggesting impaired heparin-antithrombin interaction.
- These findings point towards a prethrombotic pattern in severely malnourished children.
Impact:
- Highlights a potential hemostatic derangement contributing to thrombosis in childhood malnutrition.
- Suggests the need for further research into thromboprophylaxis in malnourished pediatric populations.
- Provides evidence supporting the link between malnutrition and increased risk of blood clots in children.
Abstract:
Antithrombin III (AT III) and heparin antithrombin assay were estimated in 30 severely malnourished children and 40 normal children. The AT III was found significatively depressed and the heparin antithrombin assay showed a flat curve in the patients, which reflects a prethrombotic pattern in this group of children. Those findings agree with the high incidence of thrombosis reported in childhood malnutrition.
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