Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease during chemotherapy for nephroblastoma: successful and safe treatment with defibrotide. Report of a clinical case

Abstract

Here we report a case of administration of defibrotide in an 11 months old infant with hepatic veno-occlusive disease during chemotherapy for nephroblastoma. He presented with abdominal distension, a weight gain of 15%, ascites, hepatomegaly with right upper quadrant pain, thrombocytopenia and hypertransaminasemia. Despite therapy, his clinical conditions aggravated, and, therefore intravenous administration of defibrotide on a compassionate-use basis was started. The dosage was 15 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses, which was increased gradually (in 3 days) to 40 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses. Defibrotide proved safe and effective in resolving clinical symptoms and normalizing serological findings in the syndrome.

Keywords::

• Defibrotide
• chemotherapy
• children
• nephroblastoma;
• veno-occlusive disease

Acknowledgements

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.