Accidental detection of lupus anticoagulants in children

Summary

During routine pre-operative evaluation, a 6-month-old infant and an 11-year-old girl were found to have prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time with positive lupus anticoagulants. Both children underwent successful cardiac surgery and had no thrombotic or bleeding complications. A literature search revealed that positive lupus anticoagulants can follow minor infections in otherwise asymptomatic children and are benign and self-limiting. A minority, however, can develop bleeding, thrombosis or an auto-immune disorder.