Hypocoagulability in Children With Decompensated Chronic Liver Disease and Sepsis: Assessment by Thromboelastography.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the coagulation status of children with decompensated chronic liver disease (DCLD) and infection and factors affecting it using thromboelastography (TEG).

METHODS

Coagulation status of children admitted with DCLD and infection was assessed by international normalized ratio (INR), platelet count, and TEG [reaction time (R), kinetic time (K), α-angle (AA), maximum amplitude (MA), coagulation index (CI), and lysis index (LY30)] at admission and at 7-14 days after treatment. CI < -3 represents hypocoagulable state. Clinical profile including systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), infection severity, bleeding, treatment response, and outcome were noted.

RESULTS

Thirty children (21 boys, median (IQR) age 78 [15.7-180] months) were studied prospectively. At admission, 29 (96.7%) had prolonged INR, 24 (80%) had thrombocytopenia, and 17 (56.6%) were hypocoagulable by TEG. Nine of 30 (30%) had normal TEG but deranged INR and platelets. Nineteen (63.3%) cases had SIRS, 11 (36.6%) had severe sepsis, and 8 (26.6%) had bleeding. Hypocoagulable state was common in severe sepsis than sepsis/infection (81.1% versus 42.1%; = 0.05) and persistent (n = 4) versus recovered SIRS (n = 15, 100% versus 33%; = 0.03). Bleeders had prolonged R-time (7.8 versus 5.4 min; = 0.03), smaller MA (30.2 versus 47 mm; = 0.05), and α-angle (40.4 versus 62.9; = 0.03) but similar INR and platelets than nonbleeders. Six patients (20%) had poor in-hospital outcomes; R-time ≥8.5 min predicted mortality with high sensitivity (83%) and specificity (100%).

CONCLUSIONS

Fifth-seven percent of children with DCLD and infection were hypocoagulable by TEG. Severe sepsis and persistent SIRS worsened the coagulation status. TEG identifies bleeders better than INR and platelet count. R-time ≥8.5 min predicts a poor hospital outcome.