Inherited thrombophilia and risk of thrombosis in children with cancer:
a single-center experience
Abstract
Background: Thrombosis is an increasingly recognized complication of
childhood malignancy and its treatment. The etiology of pediatric
cancer-related thrombosis is multifactorial and not well understood at
present. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of common
prothrombotic genetic conditions in children with cancer, the frequency
of thrombosis, and the role of inherited thrombophilia in the
development of thrombosis in a pediatric oncology population. Methods:
Forty-seven children (36 treated for hematological malignancies and 11
for solid tumors) with the median age of 8.8. years (range 0.4 – 19.3
years) were included in the study. Genetic polymorphisms of Factor V
Leiden, prothrombin G20210A mutation, and methylenetetrahydrofolate
reductase (MTHFR) C677T were determined by real-time polymerase chain
reaction-based DNA analysis. Results: Four (8.5%) patients were
heterozygous for Factor V Leiden, 3 (6.4%) were heterozygous for
prothrombin G20210A mutation, and 3 (6.4%) were homozygous for MTHFR
C677T mutation. All patients had inserted central venous lines. Four
(8.5%) children had documented thrombosis, 3 of which were located in
the upper venous system. Two of four patients with thrombosis had Factor
V Leiden heterozygosity. Conclusions: Thrombosis is an important
complication of childhood cancer. Our results suggest that congenital
prothrombotic abnormalities could be implicated in increasing the risk
of thrombosis and support a recommendation that children with cancer be
evaluated for inherited thrombophilia.