Antiphospholipid antibodies in childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

This study was performed to investigate the antiphospholipid antibodies in 83 patients with acute ITP and 60 healthy children between the ages of 1-14 who were admitted to the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department of Çukurova University Medical Faculty. On hematological evaluation; mean platelet count of the patient group were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.001). Mean values of bleeding time and clot retraction time of the patient group were significantly prolonged than the values of control group (P<0.001). Mean value of partial thromboplastin time was more prolonged in the patient group, the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Other hematological and coagulation parameters were compatible with the thrombocytopenia in the patient group. Mean erytrocyte sedimentation rate and C3 values were higher in the patient group than in in the control group but statistically significant difference was not observed (p>0.05). These values were within normal limits. Mean C4 values demonstrated no statistically significant difference among two groups. Mean serum IgG value was significantly higher in the patient group (p<0.001). Statistically significant difference were not observed between the mean values of Ig A, IgM, IgD, IgE of both groups. Anticardiolipin IgG and IgM values were significantly higher in the patient group (p<0.05, p<0.01 respectively). There were no statistically significant differences on the mean antiphospholipid IgG and IgM values among the patient and control groups (p>0.05). The presented data could be assumed as a preliminary study and longer follow-up of the patients would be helpful to determine the prognosis. Key words: ITP, antiphospholipid antibodies, anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant activity