PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTICOAGULANTS AND ACTIVATED PROTEIN-C RESISTANCE IN CHILDHOOD STROKE

Immunological and functional protein S, protein C and antithrombin III levels and anticoagulant responses to activated protein C were measur ed in 24 patients with stroke in childhood. No hereditary deficiencies were found. The protein S levels in healthy controls of younger age d id not differ from the adult levels. For optimal screening of protein S deficiency, measurements using functional as well as immunological a ssays are recommended. Appropriate criteria for the diagnosis of the d eficiencies must be carefully applied if unnecessary anxiety and inapp ropriate treatment of children are to be avoided.