title: Drug-induced thrombocytopenia in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia may be caused by many different approved drugs as well as by other substances including vaccines, complementary and alternative medicines, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, foods and beverages. All causes are described as drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP). Often the cause is not recognized, resulting in recurrent thrombocytopenia and inappropriate treatments. Systematic analysis of children (age less than 18 years) with suspected DITP has not been previously reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  (1) We searched 15 databases to identify articles describing children with thrombocytopenia as an adverse effect of drugs and other substances. Articles were reviewed to assign levels of evidence for an association of the suspected substance with thrombocytopenia. (2) Data from the BloodCenter of Wisconsin were reviewed to identify reports of drug-dependent, platelet-reactive antibodies in children with suspected DITP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 2,191 articles identified, 242 were selected for review. Seventy-two articles reporting 74 individual patients and nine groups of patients had evaluable data. Eleven individual patients and one group had definite evidence and 40 patients and three groups had probable evidence for an association of the suspected substance with thrombocytopenia. Thirty-two substances had a definite or probable association with thrombocytopenia. During 2008-2012, sera from 91 children with suspected DITP were tested and 21 had drug-dependent, platelet-reactive antibodies involving six substances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Drugs and other substances must be considered as potential causes of thrombocytopenia. Evidence from published reports and data for drug-dependent, platelet-reactive antibodies can help clinicians evaluate of children with unexpected thrombocytopenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: Loan P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.forename: Brian R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: Deirdra R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Terrell
authors.forename: Sara K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Vesely
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*
keywords: drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP)