Intracranial hemorrhage in children with hemophilia

Abstract

Aim: Hemophilias are inherited bleeding disorders, in which the patients generally present with clinical complaints of hemarthrosis. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the severe bleeding types with the highest mortality and morbidity throughout childhood, as well as in patients with a diagnosis of hemophilia. Herein, a single-center experience of intracranial hemorrhage in children with hemophilia is presented. Materials and Methods: The files and hospital records of the patients with the diagnosis of hemophilia who were followed up by the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department of Erciyes University between the years 1993-2022 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: A total of 81 patients with hemophilia were evaluated. Among them, 9 patients developed ICH. All patients had severe diseases. The mean age of incidence ICH was 2,6 months (4 days- 8,7 months). All the ICH episodes were observed within the first year of life. Four patients were diagnosed with the ICH episode initially. None of the patients had primary prophylaxis. The majority of them were admitted with neurological signs and symptoms. There was no ICH-related mortality in our study and all of the patients are being followed up in our department. Conclusion: Intracranial hemorrhage remains important in patients with congenital bleeding disorders, especially in hemophilia; with difficulties in diagnosis, management, and treatment.