Evaluation of coagulation in pediatric bone marrow transplantation patients

A hypercoagulable state is frequently described in adult patients undergoin g bone marrow transplantation (BMT). In this study, the coagulation profile of 29 children was prospectively investigated in the pre- and post-transpl ant period. A significant rise in the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) values was detected on days 7 and 14 after transplantation. Moreove r, an increase in the D-dimer level was also notable, regardless of the cli nical condition of the patients. The other coagulation parameters investiga ted (i.e. protein S, protein C. antithrombin III, factor VIII, von Willebra nd factor. and prothrombin time) remained essentially unchanged. However, h yper-fibrinogenemia was observed in all patients with chronic myeloid leuke mia (CML) (n=5) before and after transplantation. In summary, in the presen t study pediatric bone marrow transplantation patients did not show a hyper coagulable state after marrow infusion. However. a significant rise in PTT and D-dimer values were noted.