Danaparoid sodium (Orgaran((R))) in four children with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II

We report on four children with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type IL In three patients, therapy with unfractionated heparin was associated with de velopment of cardiac thrombi or with thrombosis progression up to the infer ior vena cava or with aggravation of peripheral arterial occlusion. In the fourth child, the disease was recognized early on, and no complication occu rred. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II was confirmed by heparin-ind uced platelet activation assay and/or heparin/platelet factor 4-ELISA. Conc omitant elevated antiphospholipid antibodies were seen in all patients. Dan aparoid sodium applied at a dosage of between 1.2 and 7.1 U/kg/h stopped th e disease progression in each patient. Three children had a clinical recove ry with partial recanalization, but for the child with peripheral arterial occlusion disease, amputation of some of the toes became necessary. Conclusion: Our data indicate that heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II is a potential life-threatening disease in children and danaparoid sodium is beneficial in this age group.