Safety and efficacy of danaparoid (Orgaran (R)) use in children

Immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an uncommon but serious complication of therapy with heparins. It affects all ages and requires replacement of the causative anticoagulant. However, information on alternative antithrombotic use in children with HIT is limited. This paper reviews 27 published and 7 unpublished case reports of children aged 2 weeks to 17 years treated with danaparoid. Thirty-three suffered from HIT or suspected HIT, and 1 child without HIT had a high bleeding risk. All children had severe underlying problems increasing their thrombotic and/or bleeding risk. HIT diagnosis was confirmed serologically or clinically in 26 cases (78.8%). Danaparoid regimens were similar to those used in adults, but in general, younger children needed higher daily doses of danaparoid to achieve the same target plasma anti-Xa levels than teenagers or adults. Of those with a known outcome 28/33 children (84.8%) survived, 7 having suffered from a serious adverse event. Five deaths occurred including 1 thrombotic and 2 major bleeds. Three of the in total 4 major bleeding events occurred in children undergoing surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. We conclude that despite the reported adverse events danaparoid can be used as an alternative antithrombotic for children who are intolerant of the heparins, except in cases requiring cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.