Skip to main content
Log in

Inherited resistance to activated protein C in a boy with multiple thromboses in early infancy

  • Hematology/Oncology
  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Resistance to activated protein C is a recently discovered genetic defect with a high prevalence in adult patients with thromboembolic disease. It is an autosomal dominant disorder and is ten times more common in these patients than antithrombin III-, protein C- and protein S deficiency together. In spite of this high prevalence among adults with thromboembolic disease no clinical manifestation in infancy so far has been reported. We describe a 4-year-old boy with a complex cardiac malformation and inherited resistance to activated protein C, who developed multiple thromboses after cardiac catheterization in early infancy.

Conclusion

Resistance to activated protein C can cause thrombosis in infants and children if additional risk factors for the development of thrombosis are present.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

APTT :

activated partial thromboplastin time

APC :

activated protein C

References

  1. Dahlbäck B, Hildebrand B (1994) Inherited resistance to activated protein C is corrected by an anticoagulant cofactor activity found to be a property of factor V. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91: 1396–1400

    Google Scholar 

  2. Dahlbäck B, Carlsson M, Svensson PJ (1993) Familial thrombophilia due to a previously unrecognized mechanism characterized by poor anticoagulant response to activated protein C: prediction of a cofactor to activated protein C. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90: 1004–1008

    Google Scholar 

  3. Faioni EM, Franchi F, Asti D, Sacchi E, Bernardi F, Mannuci PM (1993) Resistance to activated protein C in nine thrombophilic families: interference in a protein S functional assay. Thromb Haemost 70:1067–1071

    Google Scholar 

  4. Griffin JH, Evatt B, Wideman C, Fernandez JA (1993) Anticoagulant protein C pathway defective in majority of thrombophilic patients. Blood 82: 1989–1993

    Google Scholar 

  5. Halbmayer WM, Haushofer A, Schön R, Fischer M (1993) The prevalence of poor anticoagulant response to activated protein C (APC resistance) among patients suffering from stroke or venous thrombosis and among healthy subjects. Blood Coag Fibrinol 5:51–57

    Google Scholar 

  6. Koster T, Rosendaal FR, De Ronde H, Briët E, Vandenbroucke JP, Bertina RM (1993) Venous thrombosis due to poor anticoagulant response to activated protein C: Leiden thrombophilia study. Lancet 342:1503–1506

    Google Scholar 

  7. Mahasandana C, Suvatte V, Chuansumrit A, et al (1990) Homozygous protein S deficiency in an infant with purpura fulminans. J Pediatr 117: 750–753

    Google Scholar 

  8. Marlar RA, Mastovich S (1990) Hereditary protein C deficiency: a review of the genetics, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Blood Coag Fibrinol 1:319–330

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mitchell L, Piovella F, Ofosu F, Andrew M (1991) Alpha-2-macroglobulin may provide protection from thromboembolic events in antithrombin III-deficient children. Blood 78: 2299–2304

    Google Scholar 

  10. O'Sullivan J, Chatuverdi R, Bennet MK, Hunter S (1992) Protein S deficiency: early presentation and pulmonary hypertension. Arch Dis Child 67:960–961

    Google Scholar 

  11. Schreiber R (1986) Prophylaxe und Therapie thrombotischer Komplikationen bei Kindern mit angeborenen Herzfehlern. In: Muntean W, Borkenstein M, (eds) Angiopathie und Thrombose im Kindesalter. Thieme, Stuttgart, pp 36–45

    Google Scholar 

  12. Svensson PJ, Dahlbäck B (1994) Resistance to activated protein C as a basis for venous thrombosis. N Engl J Med 330:517–522

    Google Scholar 

  13. Zenz W, Muntean W, Beitzke A, Zobel G, Riccabona M, Gamillscheg A (1993) Tissue plasminogen activator treatment (alteplase) for femoral artery thrombosis after cardiac catheterisation in infants and children. Br Heart J 70: 382–385

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zenz, W., Muntean, W., Gallistl, S. et al. Inherited resistance to activated protein C in a boy with multiple thromboses in early infancy. Eur J Pediatr 154, 285–288 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957363

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957363

Key words

Navigation