Aspects of anticoagulation in children.

The number of children receiving anticoagulation is increasing. Thromboembolic events are associated with significant risk of morbidity and mortality although the optimal management of asymptomatic events remains unclear. Specific challenges in paediatrics include the diagnosis of thrombosis, delivery and monitoring of anticoagulation in a wide range of ages from neonates through to adolescents. The development of the haemostatic system as children age results in changing pathophysiology of thrombosis and response to anticoagulation agents. Although registry and observational studies have provided vital information, specific paediatric, prospective anticoagulation studies have been few and limited in design. The result is that much of current practice is extrapolated from adult studies. Traditional anticoagulants have significant limitations. Both heparin and warfarin are in widespread use but many fundamental questions regarding dose, therapeutic range, efficacy and optimum duration have not been fully answered. Alternative agents, such as direct thrombin inhibitors and the selective anti-factor Xa inhibitor fondaparinux, may have advantages for children. Clinical trials in adults and preliminary data in children are promising but caution should be applied until specific paediatric studies have demonstrated safety and efficacy.