L-Asparaginase and the effect of age on coagulation and fibrinolysis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Alterations in haemostasis are frequently observed in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It was the objective of this study to analyse age-related disturbances in coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters during the induction phase of the antileukemic treatment. Sixty-four children were classified by age into three groups (1-5, 6-10, 11-16 years), and studied during induction treatment of ALL including four weeks of dexamethasone, followed by two weeks tapering of dexamethasone during which 6,000 IU/m(2) native L-Asparaginase (total 4 doses) was administered intravenously twice weekly.