FREQUENCIES OF BLEEDING DISORDERS IN CHILDREN PRESENTING TO PEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL AT PESHAWAR

ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the frequencies of various bleeding disorders in children presenting to pediatrics department
of a tertiary care hospital at Peshawar.
Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in the admitted patients in the Department of Pediatrics
and Neonatology, PGMI/LRH Peshawar; during one year period from Jan to Dec 2010. A total of 103 patients
(aged from 1 day to 12 years, both male and female) were recorded as samples. The frequency of various bleeding
disorders and etiological factors were scrutinized in children presenting with bleeding disorders.
Results: Out of 103 patients, 68.9% were males and 31.1% were females. Majority of patients 46.60% had defects in
clotting factors, defects in platelet were found in 45.64% and defects in vessel wall were found in 7.76%. Among patients
with defects in clotting factors; hemorrhagic disease of newborn recorded in 15.53% cases, diarrhea in 13.59%, liver
parenchymal disease in 03.88%, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in 03.88%, biliary atresia in 0.97%, hemophilia
“A” in 04.85%, von Willebrand disease (vWD) in 01.94% and factor VII deficiency in 01.94% cases respectively.
Bleeding due to thrombocytopenia was found in 47 patients, aplastic anemia in 19.41%, idiopathic thrombocytopenic
purpura (ITP) in 09.70%, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in 07.76%, megaloblastic anemia in 05.82%, and infection
induced thrombocytopenia in 2.91% cases respectively. Defects due to vessels wall were found in 07.76% cases.
Conclusion: Majority of patients had defects in clotting factors, followed by defects in platelet and defects in vessel
wall respectively. Bleeding disorders were common in majority of males with mean age of 05.68 years (age ranged
from 1 day to 12 years).
Key Word: Bleeding disorders; AA; HDN; ITP; ALL; DIC; HA-etiology-diagnosis