Prothrombotic risk factors in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the prevalence of prothrombotic risk factors associated with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Twenty-three hemiplegic CP patients were tested for inherited and acquired prothrombotic risk factors, except methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTFR) polymorphism. RESULTS: A total of 56.5% of patients had at least one coagulation abnormality and 13% of them had two. Four patients (8.7%) had infection and congenital heart disease, who also had additional coagulopathy risk factors. Obstetric problems were detected in 56.5%. Coagulopathy risk factors were factor V Leiden mutation (21.7%), protein C deficiency (21.7%), elevated lipoprotein-a (13%), G20210A mutation of prothrombin (8.7%), and protein S deficiency (4.3%). CONCLUSION: Children with hemiplegic CP need to be evaluated for coagulopathic abnormalities.