Safety and efficacy of clopidogrel in children with heart disease.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the efficiency and safety of clopidogrel treatment in children with heart disease.

STUDY DESIGN:
We conducted single center retrospective chart review of children with heart disease at the University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium, in whom clopidogrel was used. The indication, dosage, duration of therapy, and adverse events were examined. Clinical efficacy was defined by an absence of thrombotic events.

RESULTS:
46 children were identified. The mean age of first clopidogrel dose was 4.9 +/- 4.1 years. The study dosage ranged from 0.1 to 0.7 mg/kg/day clopidogrel. Almost all patients received concomitant aspirin therapy. No thrombotic events developed. Skin bruising developed in almost every patient, suggesting that clopidogrel has an anti-platelet effect. 2 patients who were treated with concomitant warfarin had bleeding complications (severe epistaxis and gastrointestinal bleeding). Hematological abnormalities were documented in 1 patient who received clopidogrel for 1 year; they reversed with medication cessation.

CONCLUSION:
Clopidogrel therapy in a pediatric population appears to be relatively safe and effective; however, randomized, controlled prospective studies are needed to determine the true efficacy and safety of clopidogrel in children.

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Author information

Author/s: Mertens, Luc (L); Eyskens, Bénédicte (B); Boshoff, Derize (D); Gewillig, Marc (M);

Affiliation: Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. luc.mertens(-atsign-)uzleuven.be

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The Journal of pediatrics (J Pediatr), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jul; vol 153 (issue 1) : pp 61-4

Dates: Created 2008/06/23; Completed 2008/07/23;

PMID: 18571537, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Aspirin - administration & dosage
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Heart Diseases - drug therapy
Hemorrhage - chemically induced
Humans

Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors - pharmacology
Retrospective Studies
Ticlopidine - adverse effects; analogs & derivatives; therapeutic use
Warfarin - administration & dosage

Associated Chemicals: Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors (0) ; Aspirin (50-78-2) ; Ticlopidine (55142-85-3) ; Warfarin (81-81-2) ; clopidogrel (90055-48-4)

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