THROMBOTIC MICROANGIOPATHIES IN PEDIATRICS

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are pathologies characterized by the combination of mechanical microangiopathic hemolytic anemia thrombocytopenia and target-organ damage of varying severity requiring urgent management. In children the most frequent etiology of TMAs is Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) formerly known as typical HUS. Other HUS are called atypical HUS and include HUS secondary to Streptococcus Pneumoniae infection HUS secondary to Haemophilus Influenzae infection and dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. Other etiologies include thrombopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) due to ADAMTS 13 deficiency and other less frequent causes such as drug-induced post-transplant autoimmune and genetic. The course of the disease can be marked by renal and extra-renal complications which can be life-threatening. Management is based on correction of hydroelectrolytic disorders extra-renal purification plasmapheresis and monoclonal antibodies.