The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in pediatrics: a case report

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is infrequent at pediatric age (3 %) and is characterized by venous or arterial thrombosis and/or spontaneous abortions. APS occurs either as a primary condition or in the setting of an underlying disease. This is a case of a 12-year-old girl with a right hemiparesis and acute disturbance in gait, in which an ischemic cerebrovascular accident (CVA) due to middle cerebral artery thrombosis associated with positive antiphospholipid antibodies is confirmed (anticardiolipin antibody, lupus anticoagulant and anti-β2-glycoprotein antibody), fulfilling the criteria for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome. After starting treatment accordingly, the patient evolves favorably. As this pathology is infrequent and of variable presentation, it requires a high sense of alert from the health team to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.