title: [EVALUATION OF DYSFUNCTION IN BLOOD COAGULATION IN CHILDREN WITH URTICARIA].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, an association between coagulation dysfunction and the pathology of urticaria has been reported, but research in children is scarce.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured levels of prothrombin fragments 1+2 (PTF1+2), fibrin degradation product (FDP), D-dimer, and mean platelet volume (MPV) in 32 children with urticaria. The study cohort comprised 18 cases of chronic and active urticaria, 7 cases of chronic and inactive urticaria, and 7 cases of acute urticaria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PTF1+2 levels in the chronic and active urticaria group were higher than those in the chronic and inactive urticaria group (p<0.01). PTF1+2 levels in the acute urticaria group were higher than those in the chronic and inactive group (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the levels of FDP, D-dimer, and MPV among the three groups of the patients. Levels of PTF1+2, FDP, and D-dimer decreased as symptoms improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma levels of PTF1+2 may be useful for assessment of the activity of urticaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Kazuyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuzume
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kagata
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D011516:Prothrombin; D014581:Urticaria / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C029733:prothrombin fragment 1; C044183:prothrombin fragment 2; D011516:Prothrombin