Pediatric Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Follow-up

  • Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Harumi Jyonouchi, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 9, 2011
 

Further Inpatient Care

In general, admit a patient with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) with bleeding or pulmonary infection because the extent of bleeding may be difficult to ascertain or bleeding may be difficult to control.

Similarly, infections such as pneumonia may be accompanied by sepsis or require respiratory support; inpatient management is usually wise.

The patient's risk for bleeding and the presence of any chronic illness complicate diagnosis and treatment of malignancies.

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Further Outpatient Care

See Medical Care.

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Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

See Medical Care.

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Transfer

Because any primary immunodeficiency disease is associated with a great complexity of medical problems, most clinical immunologists strongly think an immunologist should manage these patients. High early mortality rates and a high rate of complications in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome suggest frequent monitoring by a clinical immunologist is essential.

Transfers are most likely to a bone marrow transplantation unit for stem cell reconstitution. These units customarily provide social services and psychological support for the patient and family in addition to the requisite medical care.

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Deterrence/Prevention

Families carrying known mutations in the WASP gene should have prenatal diagnosis using mutation analysis. Identifying an affected infant in utero allows consideration of caesarian delivery to avoid bleeding at birth. Most importantly, prenatal diagnosis allows consideration of early stem cell reconstitution and identification of a donor as early as possible.

A critical point to remember is that platelet count alone does not establish the diagnosis of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome in all infants; mean platelet volume (MPV) must be assessed. Immune functions may not show a classic pattern, making input from a clinical immunologist essential for accurate identification. In some cases, only determination of DNA mutational analysis allows discrimination among Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, the more minor disorder of X-linked thrombocytopenia, and a non–Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome diagnosis.

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Complications

Complications from bleeding and infection now have decreased because of better recognition and prompt intervention. Most immune cytopenias can also be treated effectively.

Chronic renal disease has become better recognized and must be considered, especially in an older child or young adult with a history of hematuria accompanying acute (often viral) infections.

Malignancies respond poorly to conventional therapy, and bone marrow transplantation in the presence of malignancy has failed.

Complications from bone marrow and other stem cell reconstitution procedures are a significant problem. These complications, largely because of graft versus host disease (GVHD), include infections resulting from immune dysfunction related to GVHD, chronic dermatitis, chronic pulmonary disease, and neurologic impairment. GVHD-related disorders are well-recognized problems in patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. Minor issues after successful reconstitution have included donor-transmitted allergic rhinitis and even such changes as obesity. These minor problems can cause significant emotional turmoil for both patient and donor.

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Prognosis

About one fourth of patients who do not receive stem cell reconstitution die from bleeding, another fourth from malignancies, and the remaining 50% from infections. Average age of surviving patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome in 1994 was 11 years, whereas death during the 1960s occurred within 4 years. More recent studies show average age of survival to be around 15 years.

The outlook for successfully transplanted patients is much more optimistic; the first patient to receive complete immunologic reconstitution after a 1968 bone marrow transplantation still survives without immunologic or clinical abnormalities.

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Patient Education

As with any patient who has an immune deficiency, the patient and family must seek immediate medical care at the slightest indication of an infection. This issue is critical for the splenectomized patient with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome who has a high risk of dying from overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis, usually caused by S pneumoniae infection. Bleeding (eg, epistaxis, into joints, progressive hematomas) must be recognized and treated. Patient and family must be made aware of the risk for complications, including specific autoimmune disorders and malignancies.

An important resource for education and support for patients and families with any primary immunodeficiency disease is the Immune Deficiency Foundation (some states have local chapters).

Immune Deficiency Foundation

25 W Chesapeake Ave, Suite 206

Towson, MD 21204

Consultation calls: 1-877-666-0866

The Jeffrey Modell Foundation also provides educational support and raises funds for research.

The Jeffrey Modell Foundation

747 3rd Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Phone: 1-800-JEFF-844

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Skin, Hair, and Nails Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Eczema.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Robyn Siperstein, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School

Robyn Siperstein, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for MOHS Surgery, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James M Oleske, MD, MPH  François-Xavier Bagnoud Professor of Pediatrics, Director, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, New Jersey Medical School

James M Oleske, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Academy of Medicine of New Jersey, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of HIV Medicine, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, American Academy of Pain Management, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Pediatrics, American Association of Public Health Physicians, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Pain Society, American Public Health Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Thoracic Society, Arab Board of Family Medicine, Association of Clinical Researchers and Educators (ACRE), Infectious Diseases Society of America, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Infectious Diseases Society of New Jersey, Medical Society of New Jersey, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David J Valacer, MD  Consulting Staff, Hoffman La Roche Pharmaceuticals

David J Valacer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Thoracic Society, and New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David Pallares, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Louisville

David Pallares, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harumi Jyonouchi, MD  Associate Professor, Division of Pulmonary Allergy/Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School

Harumi Jyonouchi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Medical Association, Clinical Immunology Society, New York Academy of Sciences, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Society for Mucosal Immunology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Ann O'Neill Shigeoka, MD to the development and writing of this article.

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This 10-month-old infant presented with bloody diarrhea at age 4 months followed by recurrent otitis media infections. A maternal uncle had Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS). Note the mild malar eczema and pretibial ecchymoses in this nonambulatory child. His diagnosis was confirmed by immunologic parameters, thrombocytopenia, and low platelet volume.
This 1-year-old boy was hospitalized because of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis but was noted to have eczema and petechiae (note arrow). His history was significant for a subdural hematoma for which trauma was denied; at that time the platelet count was 212,000. His diagnosis of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) was confirmed by the detection of a missense mutation (Phe 128 Ser).
Table. Immune Globulin, Intravenous[29, 30, 31, 32]
Brand(Manufacturer)Manufacturing ProcesspHAdditives (IVIG products containing sucrose are more often associated with renal dysfunction, acute renal failure, and osmotic nephrosis, particularly with preexisting risk factors [eg, history of renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, age >65 y, dehydration, sepsis, paraproteinemia, nephrotoxic drugs].) Parenteral Form and Final ConcentrationsIgA Content mcg/mL
Carimune NF



(CSL Behring)



Kistler-Nitschmann fractionation; pH 4 incubation, nanofiltration6.4-6.86% solution: 10% sucrose, < 20 mg NaCl/g proteinLyophilized powder 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%Trace
Flebogamma



(Grifols USA)



Cohn-Oncley fractionation, PEG precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography, pasteurization5.1-6Sucrose free, contains 5% D-sorbitolLiquid 5%< 50
Gammagard Liquid 10%



(Baxter Bioscience)



Cohn-Oncley cold ethanol fractionation, cation and anion exchange chromatography, solvent detergent treated, nanofiltration, low pH incubation 4.6-5.10.25M glycineReady-for-use Liquid 10%37
Gamunex



(Talecris Biotherapeutics)



Cohn-Oncley fractionation, caprylate-chromatography purification, cloth and depth filtration, low pH incubation4-4.5Contains no sugar, contains glycineLiquid 10%46
Gammaplex



(Bio Products)



Solvent/detergent treatment targeted to enveloped viruses; virus filtration using Pall Ultipor to remove small viruses including nonenveloped viruses; low pH incubation 4.8-5.1Contains sorbitol (40 mg/mL); do not administer if fructose intolerantReady-for-use solution 5%< 10
Iveegam EN



(Baxter Bioscience)



Cohn-Oncley fraction II/III; ultrafiltration; pasteurization6.4-7.25% solution: 5% glucose, 0.3% NaClLyophilized powder 5%< 10
Polygam S/D



Gammagard S/D



(Baxter Bioscience for the American Red Cross)



Cohn-Oncley cold ethanol fractionation, followed by ultracentrafiltration and ion exchange chromatography; solvent detergent treated 6.4-7.25% solution: 0.3% albumin, 2.25% glycine, 2% glucoseLyophilized powder 5%, 10%< 1.6 (5% solution)
Octagam



(Octapharma USA)



9/24/10: Withdrawn from market because of unexplained reports of thromboembolic events



Cohn-Oncley fraction II/III; ultrafiltration; low pH incubation; S/D treatment pasteurization5.1-610% maltoseLiquid 5%200
Panglobulin



(Swiss Red Cross for the American Red Cross)



Kistler-Nitschmann fractionation; pH 4, trace pepsin, nanofiltration6.6Per gram of IgG: 1.67 g sucrose, < 20 mg NaClLyophilized powder 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%720
Privigen Liquid 10%



(CSL Behring)



Cold ethanol fractionation, octanoic acid fractionation, and anion exchange chromatography; pH 4 incubation and depth filtration4.6-5L-proline (~250 mmol/L) as stabilizer; trace sodium; does not contain carbohydrate stabilizers (eg, sucrose, maltose)Ready-for-use liquid 10%≤ 25
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