Thrombophilia screening and thromboprophylaxis may benefit specific ethnic subgroups with paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Br J Haematol. 2019 Mar;184(6):994-998. doi: 10.1111/bjh.15752. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of inherited thrombophilia, risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and benefit of low molecular weight heparin prophylaxis in 476 Israeli children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated between 2004 and 2016. Thrombophilia was found in 15·5%. Arab children had a higher prevalence of F5 R506Q (factor V Leiden) than Jewish children (19·4% vs. 2·9%, P < 0·01). Patients with thrombophilia had higher VTE rates VTE (26·5% vs. 5·6%, P < 0·001). None of the thrombophilic children given prophylaxis had severe VTE. Routine evaluation for inherited thrombophilia followed by thromboprophylaxis when findings are positive may benefit at-risk patients with ALL.

Keywords: factor V Leiden; paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia; prophylactic low molecular weight heparin; thrombophilia; venous thromboembolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / epidemiology*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / pathology
  • Risk Factors
  • Thrombophilia / drug therapy*
  • Venous Thromboembolism / drug therapy*
  • Venous Thromboembolism / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight