Accidental detection of lupus anticoagulants in children

During routine pre-operative evaluation, a 6-month-old infant and an 11-yea r-old girl were found to have prolonged activated partial thromboplastin ti me with positive lupus anticoagulants. Both children underwent successful c ardiac surgery and had no thrombotic or bleeding complications. A literatur e search revealed that positive lupus anticoagulants can follow minor infec tions in otherwise asymptomatic children and are benign and self-limiting. A minority, however, can develop bleeding, thrombosis or an auto-immune dis order.