Neonatal purpura fulminans due to homozygous protein C deficiency

Severe and recurrent purpura fulminans developed in a Turkish boy at 1 week of age. Initial coagulation studies performed were compatible with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Subsequent investigations showed that the patient had homozygous and his healthy parents had heterozygous protein C deficiency. The episodes of purpura fulminans were controlled by infusions of fresh frozen plasma and heparinization. Oral anticoagulant therapy was given in the symptom-free period.     

NEONATAL PURPURA FULMINANS DUE TO HOMOZYGOUS PROTEIN C DEFICIENCY

Severe and recurrent purpura fulminans developed in a Turkish boy at 1 week of age. Initial coagulation studies performed were compatible with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Subsequent investigations showed that the patient had homozygous and his healthy parents had heterozygous protein C deficiency. The episodes of purpura fulminans were controlled by infusions of fresh frozen plasma and heparinization. Oral anticoagulant therapy was given in the symptom-free period.     

Heterozygous protein C deficiency: apropos of 2 cases with cerebral venous thrombosis in the neonatal period]

Thrombotic accidents in the newborn, particularly cerebrovascular accidents, are reported in case of abnormalities in the coagulation system and rarely in heterozygous protein C deficiency; a low protein C level could be either physiological or acquired. CASE REPORT: Two cases of heterozygous protein C deficiency are reported in neonates. Severe neurologic distress was associated with bloody cerebrospinal fluid, and hemorrhagic lesions due to cerebral sinovenous occlusion were visualised by cerebral imaging. The course was severe. One case was associated with renal thrombosis. Mutation in the 168 proline/leucine was detected by molecular biology in the neonates and their mothers. In one case a treatment with protein C had no beneficial effect. CONCLUSION: Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis has to be sought by magnetic resonance imaging in the case of neurologic distress with profound cerebral hemorrhage in the newborn. A low level of protein C has to be interpreted with caution. The diagnosis of a heterozygous deficiency status can only be made through molecular biology. The effect of treatment with protein C concentrate is questionable.     

Neonatale Purpura fulminans

Congenital homozygous or compound heterozygous protein C deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder. In most cases it becomes manifest as purpura fulminans in the neonatal period. Patients develop disseminated intravascular coagulation as a consequence of accelerated microvascular thrombogenesis. The characteristic clinical picture and a decreased protein C plasma concentration function as diagnostic criteria. Untreated, the disease takes a lethal course. We report on a newborn with purpura fulminans due to congenital homozygous protein C deficiency.     

Idiopathic purpura fulminans with transient protein S deficiency

Idiopathic purpura fulminans produces rapidly progressive hemorrhagic necrosis of the skin with disseminated intravascular coagulation in individuals without known abnormalities of the protein C pathway or acute infections. The disease mainly affects children and in 90 % of cases is preceded by a benign infection. Its pathogenesis involves a temporary autoimmune protein S deficiency that provokes a state of hypercoagulability. We present the case of a previously healthy 2-year-old boy with hemorrhagic skin lesions characteristic of purpura fulminans and disseminated intravascular coagulation without sepsis. Severe, temporary protein S deficiency was confirmed. The patient received daily replacement therapy with fresh frozen plasma for 12 days and anticoagulation with heparin for 3 months. Evolution was favorable. Although the other parameters returned to normal, protein S remained low for 50 days despite treatment. The patient has made a complete recovery.     

Púrpura fulminante posvaricelosa: potencialmente mortal

Although varicella is usually a benign disease, some of its complications, such as post-varicella purpura fulminans, can be fatal. Its pathophysiological mechanism is caused by the production of antibodies to protein C and protein S in the coagulation cascade. This could have fatal consequences for those patients with partial deficiency of these proteins that develop disseminated intravascular coagulation. Treatment is symptomatic: fresh frozen plasma to treat protein depletion, antithrombin III and heparinization against thrombus formation, and anti-inflammatory drugs (steroids). However, new therapies, such as prostaglandin E1 IV and prostacyclin, are being introduced.     

Fulminant sepsis/meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae in a protein C-deficient heterozygote treated with activated protein C therapy

A 13-month-old Japanese female with Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis presented with unusually severe septic shock and cerebral infarction in half a day of fever. The initial therapy of plasma-derived activated protein C (Anact C) led to an impressive effect on the aggressive condition. However, purpura fulminans and the consistent decline of plasma protein C activity (<20%) required prolonged activated protein C therapy and gene analysis. The patient carried a novel heterozygous mutation of PROC (exon 4; 335 GAC>TAC, Asp46Tyr). This is the first report of infectious purpura fulminans in a protein C-deficient heterozygote. The clinical onset and treatment course adequately corroborated the aggravated immune/hemostatic reactions and the cytoprotective effects of activated protein C replacement in human heterozygous protein C deficiency. The monitoring of plasma protein C activity and sufficient administration of activated protein C product could improve the outcome of severe sepsis in children.     

Severe congenital protein C deficiency: description of a new mutation and prophylactic protein C therapy and in vivo pharmacokinetics

Severe congenital protein C deficiency is a rare life-threatening disorder that presents with purpura fulminans, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and thrombotic complications during the neonatal period. Affected children require acute replacement therapy with fresh frozen plasma or protein C concentrate, for example, Ceprotin (Baxter AG, Vienna). Long-term management and outcome is dependent on effective anticoagulation with warfarin, low-molecular weight heparin, or protein C concentrate. We describe the successful use of intravenous protein C concentrate for thrombotic prophylaxis in 2 sisters with severe type I protein C deficiency. Individualized long-term prophylactic regimens were developed based on clinical response. In vivo pharmacokinetic analyses of protein C concentrate were performed in each patient. Analysis of the protein C gene coding sequences identified 2 mutations in both patients, the previously described Arg169 to Trp mutation, and a novel mutation that changes Cys17 into a stop codon.     

Long-term subcutaneous protein C replacement in neonatal severe protein C deficiency

We describe here the case of a boy who presented 2 days after birth with purpura fulminans on his feet and scalp. Laboratory investigations revealed signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation. An underlying coagulation disorder was suspected, and therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, fresh-frozen plasma, and unfractionated heparin was started. On the basis of plasma protein C activity and antigen levels of 0.02 and 0.03 IU/mL, respectively, after administration of fresh-frozen plasma, a diagnosis of severe protein C deficiency was established, and therapy with intravenous protein C concentrate (Ceprotin [Baxter, Deerfield, IL]) was started. Because of difficulties with venous access, we switched to subcutaneous administration after 6 weeks. The precise dosing schedule for subcutaneously administered protein C concentrate is unknown. In the literature, a trough level of protein C activity at >0.25 IU/mL is recommended to prevent recurrent thrombosis. During 1 year of follow-up our patient frequently had protein C activity levels at <0.25 IU/mL. Clinically, however, there was no recurrent thrombosis, and we kept the dosage unchanged. This report highlights 2 important points: (1) subcutaneously administered protein C concentrate is effective in treating severe protein C deficiency; and (2) in accordance with previous studies, after the acute phase trough levels of protein C activity at >0.25 IU/mL may not be necessary to prevent recurrent thrombosis. However, further research on the dosing, efficacy, and safety of protein C concentrate for prophylaxis and treatment of severe protein C deficiency is needed.     

Deep venous thrombosis in a child with nephrotic syndrome associated with a circulating anticoagulant and acquired protein S deficiency.

Thromboembolic events occur with a frequency of 3-5% in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Although numerous abnormalities in all phases of coagulation have been described in NS, the pathogenesis of clotting abnormalities remains poorly understood in this group of patients. We describe a child with long-standing NS in whom a severe deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism secondary to acquired protein S deficiency and a strong lupus-type circulating anticoagulant developed. In addition, this patient had a markedly decreased plasma level of C4b binding protein. Although acquired protein S deficiency has been described in various clinical disorders including NS, our patient is unusual in having C4bBP deficiency, and his is the only reported pediatric case of NS complicated by thromboembolism in which a circulating anticoagulant has been implicated, to our knowledge.     

Hypothalamic failure as a sequela of heterozygous protein C deficiency?

Protein C deficiency can lead to cerebrovascular occlusive disease. We describe a patient in whom heterozygous protein C deficiency (type 1) is suspected on the grounds of reduced protein C activity and who suffered from multiple thrombo-embolic events involving the brain and peripheral organs. The patient developed hypothalamic failure with hypernatraemia, hypodipsia, hypersomnolence and hyperkapnia, obesity, hyperprolactinaemia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and growth hormone deficiency. We hypothesize that protein C deficiency caused cerebrovascular occlusions which eventually led to hypothalamic insufficiency in this patient. Disorders of the anticoagulant system should be looked for in patients with unexplained hypothalamic disease.     

Multicentre evaluation of combined prothrombotic defects associated with thrombophilia in childhood. Childhood Thrombophilia Study Group

To evaluate the role of multiple established and potential causes of childhood thrombophilia, 285 children with a history of thrombosis aged neonate to 18 years (first thrombotic onset) were investigated and compared with 185 healthy peers. APC-resistance (FV:Q506), protein C, protein S, antithrombin, heparin cofactor II (HCII), histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRGP), and prothrombin (F.II), factor XII (F.XII), plasminogen, homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) were investigated. In 59% of patients investigated one thrombotic defect was diagnosed, 19.6% showed two thrombotic risk factors, while in 21.4% of children investigated no risk factor could be identified. Single defects comprised established causes of inherited thrombophilia: FV:Q506 (homozygous n = 10, heterozygous n = 69), protein C (homozygous n = 1; heterozygous n = 31), heterozygous type I deficiency states of protein S (n = 7), antithrombin (n = 7) and homocystinuria (n = 6); potentially inherited clotting abnormalities which may be associated with thrombophilia: F.XII (n = 3), plasminogen (n = 2), HCII (n = 1), increased HRGP (n = 4); new candidate risk factors for thrombophilia: elevated plasma levels of Lp(a) (n = 26), F.II (n = 1). Heterozygous FV:Q506 was found in combination with heterozygous type I deficiency states of protein C (n = 2), protein S (n = 13), antithrombin (n = 8) and HCII (n = 1), increased Lp(a) (n = 13), and once each with elevated levels of F.II, moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, fibrinogen concentrations > 700 mg/dl and increased HRGP. In addition to the association with FV:Q506, heterozygous protein C type I deficiency was combined with deficiencies of protein S (n = 2), antithrombin (n = 1), and increased Lp(a) (n = 3). One patient showed protein C deficiency along with familially increased von Willebrand factor > 250%. Besides coexistence with FV:Q506 and protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency was combined with decreased F.XII and increased Lp(a) in one subject each. Furthermore, we found combinations of antithrombin deficiency/elevated Lp(a), hyperhomocysteinemia/Lp(a), deficiency of HCII/plasminogen, and plasminogen deficiency along with increased Lp(a) each in one. Increased prothrombin levels were associated with fibrinogen concentrations > 700 mg/dl and with HCII deficiency in one child each. Carrier frequencies of single and combined defects were significantly higher in patients compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, data of this multicentre evaluation indicate that paediatric thromboembolism should be viewed as a multifactorial disorder.     

Purpura fulminans in a newborn infant with galactosemia

An 11-day-old neonate presented with purpura fulminans and was subsequently diagnosed with galactosemia. Neonatal purpura fulminans occurs predominantly in patients suffering from inherited protein C deficiency or disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with septicemia. Hemostatic changes in patients with liver disease may result in bleeding or, rarely, thrombosis. We suppose that in the present patient, deficiency of protein C, secondary to liver disease, was responsible for the development of purpura fulminans. Treatment consisted of blood and blood products and galactose-free formula. The patient recovered with residual mild psychomotor retardation and the lesions with minimal scarring. In conclusion, galactosemia also should be kept in mind as an uncommon cause of purpura fulminans in newborn infants.     

口服抗凝剂治疗以新生儿暴发性紫癜或颅内出血为首发表现的遗传性复合杂合突变的重度蛋白C缺乏症2例病例报告并文献复习

背景：既往国内报道的重度遗传性蛋白C缺乏症(PCD)患儿大多放弃救治而死亡。 目的：探索口服抗凝剂对重度PCD患儿的长期救治效果。 设计：病例报告。 方法：报道并分析2例新生儿期起病的遗传性复合杂合突变的重度PCD患儿的诊断、治疗及预后,检索PubMed、中国知网和万方数据库,行文献复习。 主要结局指标：血栓或出血缓解。 结果：1例首发表现为新生儿暴发性紫癜（PF）;1例因存在继发性慢性DIC,以新生儿颅内出血、肺出血为首发表现。2例经基因测序均明确蛋白C(PROC)基因复合杂合突变。每日应用新鲜冷冻血浆及低分子肝素抗凝获得初步缓解后,分别序贯口服维生素K拮抗剂华法林或直接口服抗凝剂利伐沙班作为长期治疗,预防血栓及出血事件,随访3~6年,2例均存活至今,生存质量尚好,且无明显不良反应。 结论：重度遗传性PCD可以新生儿PF、颅内出血和肺出血为首发表现,应改变观念积极救治;华法林和利伐沙班等口服抗凝剂可以作为长期维持治疗时安全有效的选择,改善预后。     

Renal vein thrombosis and response to therapy in a newborn due to protein C deficiency

A newborn infant was diagnosed as having renal vein thrombosis due to heterozygous protein C deficiency and no other predisposing factor for thrombosis. He responded adequately to treatment with streptokinase, fresh frozen plasma and subsequent anticoagulation with heparin and warfarin (Coumadin). Four years from diagnosis he remains well with no recurrence of thrombosis and with normal renal function.     

Multicentre evaluation of combined prothrombotic defects associated with thrombophilia in childhood

To evaluate the role of multiple established and potential causes of childhood thrombophilia, 285 children with a history of thrombosis aged neonate to 18 years (first thrombotic onset) were investigated and compared with 185 healthy peers. APC- resistance (FV:Q⁵⁰⁶), protein C, protein S, antithrombin, heparin cofactor II (HCII), histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRGP), and prothrombin (F.II), factor XII (F.XII), plasminogen, homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) were investigated. In 59% of patients investigated one thrombotic defect was diagnosed, 19.6% showed two thrombotic risk factors, while in 21.4% of children investigated no risk factor could be identified. Single defects comprised established causes of inherited thrombophilia: FV:Q⁵⁰⁶ (homozygous n = 10, heterozygous n = 69), protein C (homozygous n = 1; heterozygous n = 31), heterozygous type I deficiency states of protein S (n = 7), antithrombin (n = 7) and homocystinuria (n = 6); potentially inherited clotting abnormalities which may be associated with thrombophilia: F.XII (n = 3), plasminogen (n = 2), HCII (n = 1), increased HRGP (n = 4); new candidate risk factors for thrombophilia: elevated plasma levels of Lp(a) (n = 26), F.II (n = 1). Heterozygous FV:Q⁵⁰⁶ was found in combination with heterozygous type I deficiency states of protein C (n = 2), protein S (n = 13), antithrombin (n = 8) and HCII (n = 1), increased Lp(a) (n = 13), and once each with elevated levels of F.II, moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, fibrinogen concentrations >700 mg/dl and increased HRGP. In addition to the association with FV:Q⁵⁰⁶, heterozygous protein C type I deficiency was combined with deficiencies of protein S (n = 2), antithrombin (n = 1), and increased Lp(a) (n = 3). One patient showed protein C deficiency along with familially increased von Willebrand factor >250%. Besides coexistence with FV:Q⁵⁰⁶ and protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency was combined with decreased F.XII and increased Lp(a) in one subject each. Furthermore, we found combinations of antithrombin deficiency/elevated Lp(a), hyperhomocysteinemia/Lp(a), deficiency of HCII/plasminogen, and plasminogen deficiency along with increased Lp(a) each in one. Increased prothrombin levels were associated with fibrinogen concentrations >700 mg/dl and with HCII deficiency in one child each. Carrier frequencies of single and combined defects were significantly higher in patients compared with the controls. Conclusion In conclusion, data of this multicentre evaluation indicate that paediatric thromboembolism should be viewed as a multifactorial disorder.     

Clinical importance of prothrombotic risk factors in pediatric patients with malignancy - impact of central venous lines

To evaluate the role of inherited thrombophilia in the development of central venous line (CVL)-related thrombosis, the following parameters were determined in 77 pediatric-oncologic patients with CVL: activated protein C (APC)-ratio, factor V (FV) G1691A and prothrombin G20210A mutation, protein C, protein S, antithrombin, coagulation factor XII, lipoprotein (a) and homocysteine. An inherited prothrombotic risk factor was found in 17 patients (23%). Four out of 14 patients with a single defect (hyperlipoproteinemia, heterozygous FV G1691A and prothrombin G20210A mutation, protein C deficiency type I) and all three patients with combined defects (heterozygous FV G1691A mutation combined with heterozygous prothrombin G20210A variant, protein S deficiency or hyperlipoproteinemia) suffered from CVL-related thrombosis. In 11 out of 77 patients (14%) a CVL-related thrombosis was detected. In 2 children thrombosis occurred a few days after asparaginase therapy and in another three thrombosis was associated with CVL-related septicemia caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis. After removal of CVL, thrombosis was detected in 5 children, in 2 without clinical symptoms but in the presence of inherited prothrombotic risk factors. Conclusion The present study demonstrates the clinical importance of CVL in combination with inherited thrombophilia in the development of thrombosis in pediatric-oncologic patients. Before or shortly after insertion of CVL, patients should be tested for the presence of factor V G1691A mutation, prothrombin G20210A variant and increased lipoprotein (a) values.     

A neonate with homozygous protein C deficiency with a homozygous Arg178Trp mutation

Homozygous protein C deficiency affects approximately 1/400,000 to 1/1,000,000 live births. Homozygous protein C deficiency is associated with catastrophic and fatal purpura fulminans-like or thrombotic complications and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In the present patient, genetic study revealed Arg178Trp, a mutation found widely in European population; but this is the first case of homozygous Arg178Trp mutation who suffered from catastrophic purpura fulminans phenotype.     

Novel compound heterozygous mutation of the MC2R gene in a patient with familial glucocorticoid deficiency

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by glucocorticoid insufficiency without mineralocorticoid deficiency. Here, we report a 2 year-old girl with FGD, showing tall stature and skin pigmentation, but no abnormalities of the external genitalia. Serum sodium, potassium and chloride levels were within normal ranges. Endocrinological analysis revealed low serum cortisol (<5.5 nmol/1), elevated plasma ACTH (875.2 pmol/1) and low 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (< 0.303 nmol/l). We suspected the patient of having FGD type 1. Direct and allele-specific sequence analyses of the melanocortin 2 receptor gene (MC2R) revealed compound heterozygous mutations (C21Y and R146H) in the MC2R gene. Her father and mother each had heterozygous C21Y and R146H mutations, respectively, without symptoms of glucocorticoid deficiency. This is the first report of FGD associated with a compound heterozygous mutation of C21Y and R146H in the MC2R gene.     

Japanese family with congenital factor VII deficiency

Congenital factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance. The present female patient was diagnosed with congenital FVII deficiency because of low hepaplastin test (HPT), although vitamin K was given. Heterozygous p.A191T mutation was detected in the peripheral blood, and the same mutation was also found in the mother and sister. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case of p.A191T mutation of FVII in the literature and the first to be reported in Japan. FVII coagulation activity (FVII:C) in asymptomatic heterozygous carriers is mildly reduced. Therefore, some patients may not be accurately diagnosed with congenital FVII deficiency. In infants with low HPT without vitamin K deficiency, congenital FVII deficiency should be considered.