Pediatric antiphospholipid syndrome

Similar as in adults, antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) have been recognized in a number of childhood conditions including pediatric autoimmune diseases, various infections, as well as in a small percentage of apparently healthy children [1-7]. Pathogenic mechanisms involved in pediatric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) have not been thoroughly investigated, but it is generally assumed that they are similar to adults. However, there clearly are differences in the frequency of specific clinical events, because children do not have risk profiles that could be predisposing factors for thrombosis (eg, atherosclerosis, cigarette smoking, contraceptive medications). Most of the clinical features that can occur in adults with aPL have also been described in children, but often just as individual case reports or small case series from single institutions. Large cohorts or multicenter studies on APS in pediatric population are rare, and consequently, there is very little accurate information on the pediatric aspects of APS. The aim of this review is to highlight relevant clinical advances in the field of pediatric APS.