The management of coagulation disorders in children

Abstract 

Children can be born with an inherited coagulation disorder or can develop an acquired coagulopathy as a consequence of another disease or disorder. The correct diagnosis in either case is essential to the appropriate management in order to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with inaccurate diagnosis or the incorrect treatment. The management of these disorders is often very costly and there are inherent risks to the child associated with many of the products used to treat coagulation disorders which need to be minimized, when possible. For these reasons the child may require referral to a tertiary specialist centre for further investigations and management. In children presenting with bruising or more severe bleeding manifestations it is not uncommon for the first presumed diagnosis to be non-accidental injury and it is essential that a true coagulation defect is excluded in the work-up of such children.

Keywords: haemophilia, coagulopathy, bleeding, von Willebrand's disease, childhood

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• f1 Correspondence to: RL. Tel: +44(0)207 829 8837; Fax: +44(0)207 829 8872; E-mail: Liesnr@gosh.nhs.uk