title: The risks and safety of clopidogrel in pediatric arterial ischemic stroke.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Teesta
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Soman
authors.forename: Mubeen F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Rafay
authors.forename: Selina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hune
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Daune
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacGregor
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: deVeber
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin