Thalidomide-induced Stroke in a Child With Thalassemia Major.

Abstract

β-thalassemia major is a hereditary anemia resulting from defects in β-globin production. It is also characterized by a hypercoagulable state with an increased risk of thrombosis. Thalidomide, a drug known for its immunomodulating and antiangiogenic properties, has recently been demonstrated to induce γ-globin gene expression and to increase the proliferation of erythroid cells. An increasing incidence of thromboembolic events in thalidomide-treated patients has been reported. This is often in the context of thalidomide combinations with other drugs, including steroids and particularly anthracycline-based chemotherapy, and with very low incidence of thrombosis with single-agent thalidomide treatment. We report a case of stroke in a β-thalassemic child who had received a course of thalidomide.

• Authors: Sushil Gunaseelan, Anand Prakash
• Journal: Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology (J Pediatr Hematol Oncol) Vol. 39 Issue 8 Pg. e519-e520 (11 2017) ISSN: 1536-3678 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 28538510 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Thalidomide

Topics

• Blood Coagulation Tests
• Brain (pathology)
• Child
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (adverse effects)
• Intracranial Thrombosis (complications, diagnosis, etiology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Stroke (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Thalidomide (adverse effects)
• Treatment Outcome
• beta-Thalassemia (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)