The risks and safety of clopidogrel in pediatric arterial ischemic stroke.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine safety and tolerability of clopidogrel in children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS). Clopidogrel is the alternative antiplatelet medication when aspirin is not tolerated or fails. The possible risks and safety of clopidogrel in children with AIS have not been assessed.


METHODS
This is a prospective consecutive cohort study of children with AIS who were started on clopidogrel. Seventeen children were included.


RESULTS
Two children developed subdural hematomas while on clopidogrel in conjunction with aspirin. Two others had headache or hand numbness. No other side effects like rash or gastrointestinal upsets were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
We found clopidogrel to be relatively well tolerated in the pediatric population. In combination with aspirin and in the presence of other risk factors, intracranial bleeding may be seen.
Soman
Teesta
T
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Rafay
Mubeen F
MF
Hune
Selina
S
Allen
Anita
A
MacGregor
Daune
D
deVeber
Gabrielle
G
D000293:Adolescent; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006225:Hand; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009072:Moyamoya Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin