Congenital Portosystemic Shunts and Liver Hemangiomas in Children: Is There an Association?

Liver hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors of infancy. They can have vascular shunting mostly arteriovenous and sometimes arterioportal or portosystemic, which improves as hemangiomas involute. In contrast, congenital portosystemic shunts are developmental vascular anomalies that may go undetected for years, with significant sequelae. We describe a child with a history of multiple cutaneous and liver hemangiomas in infancy and later diagnosis of congenital portosystemic shunt. Past experience of a similar patient and a current baby followed for liver hemangiomas with portosystemic shunts, is also shared. Literature is reviewed for known association. We suggest longer-term follow-up for babies with liver hemangiomas.

Clinical features of children, adolescents, and adults with coexisting hypermobility syndromes and von Willebrand disease.

We present five patients with coexistent von Willebrand disease (VWD) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and 21 with VWD and joint hypermobility. Females outnumbered males ten to three, Beighton scores were documented in 58% (15 of 26 patients), and several patients experienced moderately severe bleeding. We believe coexistent hypermobility disorder with VWD potentially affects bleeding severity and want to raise awareness among hematologists. Evaluation by geneticists is recommended because of the varying complexities observed across the disease spectrum, and the availability of new genetic tests should lead to more accurate diagnoses for the various hypermobility disorders.

Clinical outcomes of splenectomy in children: report of the splenectomy in congenital hemolytic anemia registry.

The outcomes of children with congenital hemolytic anemia (CHA) undergoing total splenectomy (TS) or partial splenectomy (PS) remain unclear. In this study, we collected data from 100 children with CHA who underwent TS or PS from 2005 to 2013 at 16 sites in the Splenectomy in Congenital Hemolytic Anemia (SICHA) consortium using a patient registry. We analyzed demographics and baseline clinical status, operative details, and outcomes at 4, 24, and 52 weeks after surgery. Results were summarized as hematologic outcomes, short-term adverse events (AEs) (≤30 days after surgery), and long-term AEs (31-365 days after surgery). For children with hereditary spherocytosis, after surgery there was an increase in hemoglobin (baseline 10.1 ± 1.8 g/dl, 52 week 12.8 ± 1.6 g/dl; mean ± SD), decrease in reticulocyte and bilirubin as well as control of symptoms. Children with sickle cell disease had control of clinical symptoms after surgery, but had no change in hematologic parameters. There was an 11% rate of short-term AEs and 11% rate of long-term AEs. As we accumulate more subjects and longer follow-up, use of a patient registry should enhance our capacity for clinical trials and engage all stakeholders in the decision-making process.

Sports Participation in Children and Adolescents with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP).

We surveyed 278 pediatric hematologists/oncologists regarding how children with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are counseled for participation in sports. Results show substantial variation in physician perception of contact risk for different sports, and the advice offered about restriction of sport activities of affected children. Many physicians recommend restriction of sports when platelet counts are under 50 × 10(9) /L. Such restriction may affect the child's quality of life despite their having an overall benign disease.

Response to steroids predicts response to rituximab in pediatric chronic immune thrombocytopenia.

BACKGROUND: Treatment choice in pediatric immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is arbitrary, because few studies are powered to identify predictors of therapy response. Increasingly, rituximab is becoming a treatment of choice in those refractory to other therapies. METHODS: The objective of this study was to evaluate univariate and multivariable predictors of platelet count response to rituximab. After local IRB approval, 565 patients with chronic ITP enrolled and met criteria for this study in the longitudinal, North American Chronic ITP Registry (NACIR) between January 2004 and October 2010. Treatment response was defined as a post-treatment platelet count ≥ 50,000/µl within 16 weeks of rituximab and 14 days of steroids. Treatment response data were captured both retrospectively at enrollment and then prospectively. RESULTS: Eighty (14.2%) patients were treated with rituximab with an overall response rate of 63.8% (51/80). Univariate correlates of response to rituximab included the presence of secondary ITP and a positive response to steroids. In multivariable analysis, response to steroids remained a strong correlate of response to rituximab, OR 6.8 (95% CI 2.0-23.0, P = 0.002). Secondary ITP also remained a strong predictor of response to rituximab, OR 5.6 (95% CI 1.1-28.6, P = 0.04). Although 87.5% of patients who responded to steroids responded to rituximab, 48% with a negative response to steroids did respond to rituximab. CONCLUSION: In the NACIR, response to steroids and presence of secondary ITP were strong correlates of response to rituximab, a finding not previously reported in children or adults.

Physician practices in evaluation and treatment of patients with generalized joint hypermobility and bleeding.

The association between bleeding and joint hypermobility may not be as diagnostically obvious in patients with milder connective tissue disorders. We surveyed members of the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society regarding their knowledge, evaluation, and management practices in patients with generalized hypermobility spectrum disorder/hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and bleeding symptoms. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate hematologists' diagnosis and management practices for patients with bleeding symptoms and generalized hypermobility spectrum disorder/hEDS and (2) determine future education and research priorities regarding bleeding symptoms within this population. Evaluate hematologists' diagnosis and management practices for patients with bleeding symptoms and generalized hypermobility spectrum disorder/hEDS. Determine future education and research priorities regarding bleeding symptoms within this population. A web-based survey was sent to Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society physician members. Physician demographics, preferred evaluation for hEDS, management of bleeding episodes, and referral patterns were collected and descriptive statistics were performed. Only two-thirds of respondents reported evaluating for hypermobility, despite all respondents being aware of the association with bleeding. There were significant variations in referral patterns for genetic counseling, diagnostic evaluation, and management of nonhematologic symptoms. There were also significant variations in reported medical homes for this patient population. Research prioritization included understanding the evolution of bleeding symptoms with age in this population as well as the development of functional tests to identify the molecular mechanism of bleeding and the development of novel hemostatic agents for this population. Results from 33 respondents show differing physician practices regarding the evaluation and management of bleeding in hypermobile patients. Many physicians suggested further research priorities to include studying the natural history of the disease and development of functional diagnostic testing as well as targeted therapeutic options in this patient population.

Lepirudin anticoagulation for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia after cardiac surgery in a pediatric patient.

A 21-month-old boy received anticoagulation with lepirudin for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) after undergoing cardiac surgery and receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This report illustrates the significance of HIT in pediatric patients after cardiac surgery and the successful administration of lepirudin in this setting. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of lepirudin administered to treat HIT in a child after cardiac surgery and ECMO. Although guidelines exist that suggest the potential administration of lepirudin as treatment for children with HIT, further studies are needed to determine the safest yet most effective dosage for this population.

Hematologic outcomes after total splenectomy and partial splenectomy for congenital hemolytic anemia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to define the hematologic response to total splenectomy (TS) or partial splenectomy (PS) in children with hereditary spherocytosis (HS) or sickle cell disease (SCD). METHODS: The Splenectomy in Congenital Hemolytic Anemia (SICHA) consortium registry collected hematologic outcomes of children with CHA undergoing TS or PS to 1 year after surgery. Using random effects mixed modeling, we evaluated the association of operative type with change in hemoglobin, reticulocyte counts, and bilirubin. We also compared laparoscopic to open splenectomy. RESULTS: The analysis included 130 children, with 62.3% (n=81) undergoing TS. For children with HS, all hematologic measures improved after TS, including a 4.1g/dl increase in hemoglobin. Hematologic parameters also improved after PS, although the response was less robust (hemoglobin increase 2.4 g/dl, p<0.001). For children with SCD, there was no change in hemoglobin. Laparoscopy was not associated with differences in hematologic outcomes compared to open. TS and laparoscopy were associated with shorter length of stay. CONCLUSION: Children with HS have an excellent hematologic response after TS or PS, although the hematologic response is more robust following TS. Children with SCD have smaller changes in their hematologic parameters. These data offer guidance to families and clinicians considering TS or PS.

Clinical course of postthrombotic syndrome in children with history of venous thromboembolism.

Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a chronic morbidity of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children. Information about the evolution of PTS is lacking in children. Present study was aimed to evaluate the time-course of extremity PTS in children who were serially followed in a hematology clinic. This retrospective cohort study included 69 consecutive children with documented VTEs that presented with symptoms of extremity VTE: 67 extremity VTEs with or without extension to vena cava, 2 inferior vena cava VTEs. Severity of PTS was assessed using modified Villalta scale. Median age of the cohort was 12.6 years (interquartile range 1.6-15 years) while median follow-up was 28.7 months (interquartile range 13.3-33.4 months. PTS prevalence was 46.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 37.9-57.7%]. Lower extremity VTE was associated with development of PTS compared to upper extremity VTE regardless of catheter use (P = 0.002). The time-course of PTS fluctuated in 11 of 33 children (33%; 95% CI 20-47%) at a median interval of 12 months from diagnosis of VTE (range 4-14 months): three progressed from mild/moderate to severe, one improved from moderate to mild, seven fluctuated between mild and moderate. Recurrence and incomplete resolution of VTE were associated with variability in PTS severity (P < 0.05). In summary, this study suggested that almost 50% of study cohort developed PTS, and the time-course of PTS was not static in one third of children. Future research should focus on identifying the predictors contributing to the worsening of PTS and developing risk-stratified treatment interventions so as to improve the outcome of children with VTE.

The congenital porto-caval fistula: a unique presentation and novel intervention.

Congenital porto-caval fistulas are uncommon vascular malformations with a varied clinical presentation beginning in infancy and spanning late adulthood. We report a 14-year-old male who presented with dyspnea and cough. His past medical history was significant for a chronic non-immune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy and a learning disability. He was found to have severe pulmonary hypertension and hyperammonemia associated with a large congenital porto-caval fistula. The abnormal vessel was occluded via endovascular covered stent placement in the vena cava. His pulmonary hypertension has improved remarkably while his chronic anemia, thrombocytopenia and ammonia have normalized to allow improved cognitive performance.

Pseudo-Meigs syndrome secondary to ovarian germ cell tumor.

An 11-year-old white girl presenting with fever, dyspnea, and cough demonstrated a left pleural effusion, ascites, and a suprapubic mass on physical and radiologic examinations. Surgical resection of the mass found a stage Ic malignant mixed germ cell tumor of the ovary. The pleural effusion and ascites were benign and resolved spontaneously after complete resection of the tumor, which is characteristic of a pseudo-Meigs syndrome.

Treatment, outcome, and cost of care in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Data were reviewed on treatment patterns, outcome, and hospital charges for children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Records of 186 children with ITP, seen between January 1997 and April 2001, were reviewed. Hospital charges for initial management and first re-treatment were calculated by combining physician, hospital, and pathology charges. Anti-D immune globulin [anti-D IG] was used in 32.3%, intravenous immune globulin [IVIG] in 22.6%, steroids in 22.6%, combination therapies in 8%, and 14.5% were observed. Two patients had CNS bleeding, one with intraventricular hemorrhage at diagnosis, and the other with a parietal bleed 1 year from diagnosis. There was no significant differences in time to reach platelet counts of 20, 50, or 150 (x 10(9)/L) across different treatment groups. There was no significant difference in median charges for the IVIG and anti-D IG groups for the initial treatment of ITP. However, the IVIG was significantly more expensive than steroids or observation. Charges for the anti-D IG group were higher than the observation group but not the steroid group. After drug charges were excluded, patients in the IVIG group had statistically higher charges compared to patients in anti-D IG group. Almost half the patients were re-treated. There was no significant difference between anti-D IG, IVIG, and steroid groups when initial and re-treatment charges were combined. The observation group remained least expensive. Outcome for children with ITP is similar regardless of initial management. There is not a statistically significant difference in hospital charges between patients treated with anti-D IG and IVIG. The IVIG-treated group tends to be more costly, but this is not due to drug charges. Re-treatment is common and decreases the difference in patient charges among initial therapies.

Severe aplastic anaemia and Grave's disease in a paediatric patient.

Severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) is considered to be an autoimmune disorder affecting the haematopoietic cells and most often is idiopathic. An association between SAA and other autoimmune diseases is rare and has been described in adults for eosinophilic fasciitis, thymomas, systemic lupus erythematosus and thyroid disorders. We describe the first paediatric patient with chronic relapsing SAA and Grave's disease. We discuss the difficulty in diagnosis of Grave's disease, the possibility of its manifestation due to withdrawal of immunosuppressants, and issues to consider in the treatment of this disease in the setting of bone marrow failure.

Esthesioneuroblastoma in children.

Esthesioneuroblastoma (olfactory neuroblastoma) is a rare tumor of the olfactory epithelium. Approximately 1,000 cases have been described in the literature since the original description in 1924. It occurs in older individuals and is rare in children. The authors describe the clinicopathologic presentation in a series of five children treated with neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy and review the English literature for previously described patients younger than 18 years to assess clinical presentation, mode of treatment, and outcome in this age group.