Safety and efficacy of clopidogrel in children with heart disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficiency and safety of clopidogrel treatment in children with heart disease.


METHODS
We conducted single center retrospective chart review of children with heart disease at the University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium, in whom clopidogrel was used. The indication, dosage, duration of therapy, and adverse events were examined. Clinical efficacy was defined by an absence of thrombotic events.


RESULTS
46 children were identified. The mean age of first clopidogrel dose was 4.9 +/- 4.1 years. The study dosage ranged from 0.1 to 0.7 mg/kg/day clopidogrel. Almost all patients received concomitant aspirin therapy. No thrombotic events developed. Skin bruising developed in almost every patient, suggesting that clopidogrel has an anti-platelet effect. 2 patients who were treated with concomitant warfarin had bleeding complications (severe epistaxis and gastrointestinal bleeding). Hematological abnormalities were documented in 1 patient who received clopidogrel for 1 year; they reversed with medication cessation.


CONCLUSIONS
Clopidogrel therapy in a pediatric population appears to be relatively safe and effective; however, randomized, controlled prospective studies are needed to determine the true efficacy and safety of clopidogrel in children.
Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. luc.mertens@uzleuven.be
Luc
L
Mertens
Bénédicte
B
Eyskens
Derize
D
Boshoff
Marc
M
Gewillig
D000293:Adolescent; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin