Aspirin-induced hepatotoxicity and anemia in children with acute rheumatic fever.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of anemia and hepatotoxicity associated with aspirin use in patients with acute rheumatic fever.

Methods: Patients with acute rheumatic fever followed at Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Cardiology between 2015-2018 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: A total of 286 patients with acute rheumatic fever were analysed. Aspirin treatment was started in 53 of the 286 patients (18.5%) due to arthritis. The mean age of the patients who used aspirin was 10.7 ± 2.5 years. Aspirin-induced hepatotoxicity developed in 9 (17%) of the 53 patients. Naproxen or ibuprofen was given to these patients as an alternative to aspirin. No side effects occurred in patients receiving naproxen or ibuprofen. In addition, 30% of 53 patients were initially anemic. The mean duration of aspirin use in the hepatotoxic patients who had anemia was longer than patients without anemia (p=0.02).

Conclusions: Patients with acute rheumatic fever should be closely monitored for aspirin hepatotoxicity. When aspirin hepatotoxicity develops, naproxen or ibuprofen treatment can be used safely.