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Cerebral infarction and antiphospholipid syndrome in children
V Baca1, R Garcia-Ramirez, M Ramirez-Lacayo
1Department of Immunology, Hospital de Pediatria, Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI, Mexico City, Mexico.
Insights
Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are common in children with acute cerebral infarction. Aspirin may help prevent recurrent strokes in these young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Acute cerebral infarction in children is a serious neurological event.
- The role of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in pediatric stroke is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in children diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction.
- To explore the potential link between aPL and pediatric stroke.
Main Methods:
- The study included 10 pediatric patients presenting with acute neurological symptoms.
- Antiphospholipid antibodies (detected as lupus anticoagulant or anticardiolipin antibodies [aCL]) and natural anticoagulant proteins (C, S, antithrombin III) were measured.
Main Results:
- Seven out of ten patients showed evidence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL).
- Four patients met criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome with high aCL levels.
- Two patients experienced temporary protein C deficiency; no connective tissue disease or hypercoagulable family history was noted.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) was observed in children with acute cerebral infarction.
- Aspirin therapy showed promise in preventing recurrent infarctions during a 15.7-month follow-up period.
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in children with acute cerebral infarction.
Methods:
The study was carried out in 10 consecutive patients during the first days of neurological symptoms. aPL detected as lupus anticoagulant or anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and natural anticoagulant proteins C, S, and antithrombin III were determined in all patients.
Results:
Seven patients had acute cerebral infarctions associated with aCL; 4 of these patients had high serum aCL concentrations in 2 different determinations (antiphospholipid syndrome). Two patients had temporary protein C deficiency. In one patient with negative aCL, protein C, S, and antithrombin III determinations were not carried out. No patient had evidence of connective tissue disease or family history of hypercoagulable state. After followup of 15.7 months, no patient had recurrent infarction while taking aspirin.
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrates high prevalence of aCL in children who suffer acute cerebral infarction and our results suggest aspirin may be effective therapy to prevent recurrences.