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There is a lack of evidence-based guidance for the prevention and management of thrombosis in children and young people treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. To determine current UK practice, a survey was sent to 28 centers participating in the Medical Research Council UKALL 2011 trial. Marked variation in practice was noted. In total, 43% of centers defer central venous access device insertion until end of induction for treatment of low-risk disease. Central venous access devices are removed at the end of intensive blocks in 38% and end of treatment in 42%. Duration of anticoagulation for line-associated thrombosis is 6 weeks in 43% and 3 months in 33% and for cerebral sinovenous thrombosis is 3 months in 71% and 6 months in 24%. Platelet transfusion to maintain platelet count >50×10/L, in preference to interrupting therapeutic anticoagulation, is used by 50% for line-associated thrombosis and 73% for cerebral sinovenous thrombosis. Conformity of practice was seen in some areas. In total, 70% treat thrombosis with twice-daily low-molecular weight heparin and 86% monitor antifactor Xa activity levels. In total, 91% reexpose individuals to asparaginase following a thrombotic event. Given this variation in practice, in the absence of high-quality evidence, consensus guidelines may be helpful.

Objective: To report the outcomes of an institutional protocol for periprocedural anticoagulant (AC) management in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)., Study Design: Children being treated for ALL who received full-dose (therapeutic) anticoagulation before undergoing at least 1 lumbar puncture (LP) were included in this retrospective cohort study. The main outcome was the risk of traumatic LP; exploratory analysis included the risks of symptomatic spinal hematoma and progression/recurrence of the thrombotic event. Analyses were conducted using logistic regression analysis with a generalized estimating equation approach., Results: Twenty-two children with ALL receiving an AC underwent a total of 396 LPs. Although traumatic LP was associated with full-dose AC therapy in univariable analysis, a multiple logistic regression model controlling for other risk factors for traumatic LP showed that AC therapy was not significantly associated with the risk of traumatic LP when the ACs were held as per the institutional protocol. No patient developed symptomatic spinal hematoma. Exploratory analysis revealed that AC dose, a likely marker of thrombus burden, was significantly associated with progression/recurrence of the thrombotic event in univariable analysis., Conclusion: In our cohort, recent AC therapy was not statistically associated with an increased risk of bleeding after LP when following a specific protocol for periprocedural AC management. The risk associated with the progression/recurrence of thromboembolic events requires further evaluation., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Thrombosis in children is becoming more prevalent due to increased awareness of these issues in the pediatric population and advances in medicine. Management of affected children are challenging due to differences in their hemostatic system compared with adults. Prospective, controlled trials for management/treatment of children with thrombosis are lacking. Many of the available guidelines for treatment of thrombosis in children are extrapolated from adult data and do not account for the uniqueness of the pediatric hemostatic system, although more research and data are becoming available. This review will focus on children over 1 year of age, including adolescents, looking at the etiology of thrombosis, diagnosis, management options, and any associated complications in this pediatric population., (© Thieme Medical Publishers.)