title: Evaluation of prolonged aPTT values in the pediatric population.
abstract: To assess the likelihood of significant bleeding disorders in children with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTTs), a retrospective chart review was performed. Data analyses determined that in the absence of symptoms and a negative family history, the diagnosis of a bleeding disorder was unlikely in an individual with a prolonged aPTT (negative predictive value = 80%). Conversely, a prolonged aPTT was predictive (positive predictive value = 62%) in the presence of both clinical symptoms and a documented family history. The scope of laboratory investigation in any child with a prolonged aPTT should be tempered by the clinical presentation and the associated personal and family histories.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Mona D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: O'Riordan
authors.forename: Sarah W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies