Pediatric Thrombocytopenia Medication

  • Author: Susumu Inoue, MD; Chief Editor: Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA   more...
 
Updated: Apr 19, 2010
 

Medication Summary

In a child with reactive thrombocytosis, drug therapy is not required. Thrombohemorrhagic complications are exceedingly rare. To date, no studies have demonstrated a benefit of prophylactic use of antithrombotic or antiplatelet agents. In general, use of these drugs is not warranted. One exception in which antithrombotic or antiplatelet drugs should be used is for Kawasaki syndrome. A clear guideline for aspirin use with this syndrome has been established (see Kawasaki Disease).

Symptomatic patients with essential thrombocytosis (ET) should receive treatment to lower their platelet count. For pediatric use, anagrelide or hydroxyurea is recommended. In a study by Harrison et al, adult patients (median age, about 60 y) were randomly assigned to receive low-dose aspirin plus hydroxyurea or anagrelide.[41] Significantly more patients in the anagrelide arm than in the hydroxyurea arm reached the study endpoint. The authors concluded that hydroxyurea plus aspirin was more effective than anagrelide plus aspirin in preventing complications in adults with ET.

Radioactive phosphorus should not be used for young patients because of its carcinogenic potential.

Use of pharmacologic agents to prevent thrombotic complications in primary or ET is controversial, even in the internal medicine literature, because no laboratory studies offer predictive value in terms of the risk of thrombosis or hemorrhage. Tefferi et al recommend their use in only patients older than 60 years, individuals with a history of thrombosis, or persons with cardiovascular risk factors, virtually eliminating pediatric patients.[42]

Patients who do develop a thrombus should be treated appropriately (see Thromboembolism).

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Agents to reduce platelet count and reduce platelet function

Class Summary

These agents are used to treat thrombotic complications and to prevent thrombosis (in some cases) in patients with an established diagnosis of ET.

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Anagrelide (Agrylin)

 

Specifically lowers platelet count, presumably by reducing megakaryocyte size and ploidy. Not FDA approved for use in patients < 16 y, but a small number of pediatric patients have been treated without significant adverse effects. Long-term adverse effects totally unknown; therefore, clearly positive benefit-risk ratio must be shown before administering drug to any child.

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Cytoreductive agents

Class Summary

These agents should be used only in patients with thrombotic complications (or in some in need of prevention of thrombosis) with an established diagnosis of primary thrombocythemia.

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Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)

 

Inhibits DNA synthesis (RNA reductase inhibitor), reducing all 3 blood cell counts.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Susumu Inoue, MD  Professor of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Associate Director of Pediatric Education, Department of Pediatrics, Hurley Medical Center

Susumu Inoue, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, International Society for Experimental Hematology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

J Martin Johnston, MD  Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Mercer University School of Medicine; Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Backus Children's Hospital; Consulting Oncologist/Hematologist, St Damien's Pediatric Hospital

J Martin Johnston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

James L Harper, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Associate Chairman for Education, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Creighton University; Director, Continuing Medical Education, Children's Memorial Hospital; Pediatric Director, Nebraska Regional Hemophilia Treatment Center

James L Harper, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Cancer Research, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics, and Hemophilia and Thrombosis Research Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Helen SL Chan, MBBS, FRCP(C), FAAP  Senior Scientist, Research Institute; Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada

Helen SL Chan, MBBS, FRCP(C), FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Hematology, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA  Senior Vice President, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's National Medical Center; Professor of Medicine, Oncology, and Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine; Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Algorithm for thrombocytosis workup and potential need for medication.
 
 
 
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