Age-related differences in outcome and severity of DIC in children with septic shock and purpura.

We studied the influence of age on mortality and severity of clotting abnormalities in 79 children (median age: 3.1 years) with meningococcal sepsis. Parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis and plasma levels of cytokines were prospectively measured on admission.

The relationship between plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and proinflammatory and counterinflammatory mediators in children with meningococcal septic shock.

Proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha and interleukin [IL]-6 and -8), counterinflammatory compounds (IL-10 and soluble TNF receptors p55 and p75 [sTNFR-55 and -75]), and hemostatic parameters were determined in 38 patients with meningococcal septic shock. Eleven patients (29%) died. Serum levels of pro- and counterinflammatory compounds and plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 were significantly higher in nonsurvivors.

Acquired Von Willebrand disease in children with a Wilms' tumor.

The association between acquired von Willebrand disease and Wilms' tumor has been reported in eight cases: four cases reports and one prospective study of Coppes et al. (J. Clin Oncol 10:422-427, 1992) who found this in four out of 50 patients.

Minimal effects of E. coli and Erwinia asparaginase on the coagulation system in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a randomized study.

A randomized study was done in twenty newly diagnosed children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ten children were treated with Escherichia coli L-asparaginase, and ten with Erwinia chrysanthemi L-asparaginase. L-asparaginase (ASP) treatment started halfway during ALL-induction treatment with vincristine, prednisone, daunorubicin and intrathecal methotrexate.

Transfusion syphilis: a case report.

An infant girl acquired syphilis after exchange transfusion with fresh whole blood in 1977 in Rotterdam. She showed typical features of early infectious syphilis three and a half months after the transfusion. The parents had no histories or clinical or serologic signs indicative of syphilis.