Anemia and Associated Risk Factors in Pediatric Patients.

Anemia is the most common hematologic abnormality identified in children and represents a major global health problem. A delay in diagnosis and treatment might place patients with anemia at risk for the development of rare but serious complications, including chronic and irreversible cognitive impairment. Identified risk factors contributing to the development of anemia in children include the presence of nutritional deficiencies, environmental factors, chronic comorbidities, and congenital disorders of hemoglobin or red blood cells. Pediatricians, especially those in the primary care setting, serve a particularly critical role in the identification and care of those children affected by anemia. Prompt recognition of these risk factors is crucial for developing appropriate and timely therapeutic interventions and prevention strategies.

Acute Thrombotic Events in Association With Coronavirus Disease of 2019 Immunization as Initial Presentation of Congenital Factor VII Deficiency.

Coagulation factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a congenital disorder with heterogeneous clinical phenotypes ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening bleeding and/or thrombotic events. We present the case of an adolescent male who developed acute deep and superficial venous thromboses of the upper extremities in the setting of multiple peripheral venous line insertions and shortly after receiving his second coronavirus disease of 2019 immunization dose. A hemostatic work-up revealed low FVII activity levels associated with 4 different FVII genetic variants. We highlight the need to better understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms behind FVII deficiency-associated prothrombotic risk and the role that specific FVII genetic variants may play in the clinical presentation of these patients.

High Prevalence of Congenital Factor VII (FVII) Deficiency in Adolescent Females with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and Iron Deficiency Anemia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical characteristics and prevalence of congenital bleeding disorders (CBDs), with emphasis on congenital factor VII (FVII) deficiency and other rare bleeding disorders, in adolescent and young adult females referred to a hemophilia treatment center (HTC) for evaluation and management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) DESIGN: In this single-center retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical characteristics and prevalence of CBDs in postmenarchal females, younger than 22 years of age, referred to an HTC from 2015 to 2021 for evaluation of HMB with or without IDA. RESULTS: One hundred females, with a mean age of 15 years (range 9-20 years), met initial study criteria, and 95 were included in the final analysis. Forty-five (47%) females were ultimately diagnosed with a CBD. The most prevalent diagnoses were FVII deficiency and type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) (42.3%, n = 19 each). Forty-two percent of patients with FVII deficiency had a low-for-age FVII activity level, 21.1% were only positive for the FVII R353Q variant associated with borderline FVII levels, whereas 36.8% had both a low-for-age FVII activity level and a positive R353Q variant. Eighty percent of patients with a CBD were found to have relatives with abnormal bleeding symptoms. CONCLUSION: Congenital FVII deficiency is prevalent among female adolescents experiencing HMB with or without IDA. In addition to VWD, evaluation for this specific factor deficiency should be considered as part of the initial CBD workup. Presence of abnormal bleeding history in the family could also help to predict presence of a CBD.

Eptacog beta efficacy and safety in the treatment and control of bleeding in paediatric subjects (<12 years) with haemophilia A or B with inhibitors.

INTRODUCTION: Eptacog beta is a new recombinant activated human factor VII bypassing agent approved in the United States for the treatment and control of bleeding in patients with haemophilia A or B with inhibitors 12 years of age or older. AIM: To prospectively assess in a phase 3 clinical trial (PERSEPT 2) eptacog beta efficacy and safety for treatment of bleeding in children <12 years of age with haemophilia A or B with inhibitors. METHODS: Using a randomised crossover design, subjects received initial doses of 75 or 225 µg/kg eptacog beta followed by 75 µg/kg dosing at predefined intervals (as determined by clinical response) to treat bleeding episodes (BEs). Treatment success criteria included a haemostasis evaluation of 'excellent' or 'good' without use of additional eptacog beta, alternative haemostatic agent or blood product, and no increase in pain following the first 'excellent' or 'good' assessment. RESULTS: Treatment success proportions in 25 subjects (1-11 years) who experienced 546 mild or moderate BEs were 65% in the 75 µg/kg initial dose regimen (IDR) and 60% in the 225 µg/kg IDR 12 h following initial eptacog beta infusion. By 24 h, the treatment success proportions were 97% for the 75 µg/kg IDR and 98% for the 225 µg/kg IDR. No thrombotic events, allergic reactions, neutralising antibodies or treatment-related adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Both 75 and 225 µg/kg eptacog beta IDRs provided safe and effective treatment and control of bleeding in children <12 years of age.

Clinical Implications of Hematologic and Hemostatic Abnormalities in Children With COVID-19.

Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, elevated D-dimer, and prolonged prothrombin time are considered poor prognostic factors in adults with acute Coronavirus Disease 2019. The prognostic significance of these abnormalities among pediatric patients remains underreported in the literature. This retrospective cohort study evaluates the prognostic implications of hematologic and hemostatic derangements in patients younger than 22-years-of-age who were admitted to a tertiary-care referral institution for management of acute Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were identified as independent prognostic factors of disease severity. Although the majority of children, with available results, had elevated D-dimer or prolonged prothrombin time upon initial presentation, these markers were not found to be associated with the development of severe clinical complications.

Barriers and challenges for the fast treatment of bleeds in the non-haemophilia treatment centre hospital setting.

INTRODUCTION: Early treatment for acute bleeds in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors is feasible when patients are managed in haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs). Patients may need to attend non-HTCs for out-of-hours emergency care, especially if HTCs are not local and/or transport is difficult. AIM: We evaluated the barriers to the fast treatment of bleeds in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors presenting at non-HTCs. METHODS: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) from non-HTCs in the United States (n = 218) and Germany (n = 98) were selected from validated online panels and invited to participate in a survey (October-November 2017). RESULTS: A mean of 6 (US) and 5 (German) patients with haemophilia and inhibitors were managed for bleeds by these HCPs over 12 months; patient characteristics were similar in both countries. The main HCPs involved in treating bleeds were emergency room specialists (94%) and haematologists (91%) (US); haematologists (79%) and anaesthesiologists (59%) (Germany). Only 26% (US) and 28% (Germany) of HCPs had access to treatment guidelines for these patients; access to bypassing agents was similarly limited: 44% (US) and 38% (Germany) of HCPs reported their institution did not stock these agents. In both countries, key reasons for delaying treatment were lack of bypassing agent availability, HCP experience/education of bleed disorders and internal process time. CONCLUSION: Barriers to fast treatment of bleeds in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors were identified in non-HTCs in the United States and Germany. These could be reduced by improving the availability of treatment guidelines, bypassing agents and HCP education/training.

Prevalence of Hypertension (HTN) and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Hospitalized Pediatric Hemophilia Population.

Improved life expectancy in hemophilia has led to a greater interest in age-related disorders. Hypertension (HTN) as well as cardiovascular disease have been increasingly reported in hemophilic adults but there is currently very limited data in the pediatric population. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the 2012 National Health Cost and Utilization Project database to determine the prevalence of HTN and associated cardiovascular risk factors in a hospitalized pediatric hemophilia population, between the ages of 0 to 21 years, in comparison with the general pediatric population. The prevalence of HTN was significantly higher in children with hemophilia (CWH) in comparison with the general pediatric population (1.71% vs. 1.02%, P-value=0.005). When adjusting the analysis for sex, the prevalence of HTN in the hemophilia cohort remained higher, although not statistically significant (1.52% vs. 1.22%, P-value=0.2568). When examining the concomitant presence of ≥1 cardiovascular risk factors in the hypertensive subgroups, CWH had a higher prevalence of obesity (2.64% vs. 1.32%, P-value <0.0001). Interestingly, diabetes mellitus was more prevalent in nonhemophilic children (1.47% vs. 0.56%, P-value=0.0015). These data suggest that cardiovascular risk factors need to be closely monitored in CWH, and a better preventive strategy is likely needed to identify those hemophilic patients at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

Hemophilic Pseudotumor: An Important Differential Diagnosis of an Intracranial Mass.

Hemophilic pseudotumor is a rare complication of hemophilia. We present the case of a male toddler with moderate hemophilia A and cranial hemophilic pseudotumor managed with factor VIII infusions. We also provide a review of the literature. Recognition of this rare manifestation of this complication of hemophilia is important to provide correct treatment and avoid unnecessary investigations, particularly biopsy, which is contraindicated in this condition.

Extensive juvenile xanthogranuloma involving the orbit, sinuses, brain, and subtemporal fossa in a newborn.

A 6-week-old-boy presented with a 3-week history of right axial proptosis. Vision, motility, anterior segment, and fundus examinations were normal in both eyes. Imaging revealed a multicystic right orbital lesion with extensive involvement of the infratemporal fossa and paranasal sinuses with intracranial extension. Systemic workup was negative, and he showed no functional deficits. Histopathology revealed a tumor rich in histiocytes, and immunohistochemistry indicated a juvenile xanthogranuloma. He did well with observation, and the tumor partially involuted after 18 months of follow-up.

Cold infusion for salvage partial hilar nephrectomy in patient with bilateral wilms tumor.

We describe the use of an ice-cold solution of Ringer's lactate with additives to ameliorate ischemia-reperfusion injury and avoid renal failure in a child with bilateral Wilms tumor requiring nonanatomic, hilar resection that would leave the patient with marginal renal parenchyma postoperatively. The adequate renal function afforded by the procedure avoided the possible need for dialysis and allowed the resection area to be irradiated to prevent tumor recurrence before eventual renal transplantation.