Abstract
Plasma Antithrombin III activity (AT-IIIAc) and antigen (AT-IIIAgn) levels were determined in 75 children with SCD in the steady state aged 2 to 19 yrs (mean of 9.6 ± 5.6) and in matched controls. Thirty-three of these patients were also studied during steady state (SS) and during vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC).
In the steady state, AT-IIIAc was below control values whereas AT-IIIAgn levels were normal. During VOC there was decrease in both AT-IIIAc and AT-IIIAgn as compared to the steady state. Of the 33, fifteen patients had daily AT-IIIAc and AT-IIIAgn determinations. Decreased levels of AT-IIIAc and AT-IIIAgn rose above the initial levels with clinical improvement (68.6±13.9;8.1±2.7 and 88.4±11.2;12.0±2.8, respectively, P < 0.001) 24-48 hours after the symptoms had disappeared. Thrombotic phenomena appear to play an important role in VOC of SCD and sub-normal AT-IIIAc is found in patients in steady state. The further decline in functional AT-III is probably related to increased consumption and decreased production of AT-IIIAgn due to altered liver function during VOC.
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Karayalcin, G., Chung, D., Pinto, P. et al. PLASMA ANTITHROMBIN III LEVELS IN CHILDREN WITH HOMOZYGOUS SICKLE CELL DISEASE (SCD). Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 242 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00894
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00894