Use of electronic self-administered bleeding assessment tool in diagnosis of paediatric bleeding disorders

Assessing Bleeding Symptoms in Pediatric Patients With Generalized Joint Hypermobility

OBJECTIVE

To assess bleeding symptoms in patients with generalized/benign joint hypermobility (GJH), compare bleeding scores to healthy historical pediatric controls, and determine whether a correlation exists between Beighton scores and bleeding scores.

METHODS

Patients with GJH ages 6-21 years seen by the rheumatology department at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio were eligible. Participants/guardians completed the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Bleeding Assessment Tool, a validated questionnaire defining the presence, severity, and frequency of bleeding symptoms. Scores of ≥3 have been associated with an underlying bleeding disorder in pediatric patients.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients agreed to participate. The median age was 13 years (interquartile range 10-16 years), and the mean Beighton score was 6.3 (range 4-9). Commonly observed bleeding symptoms were oral bleeding (74%), easy bruising (59%), and bleeding with minor wounds (42%). Mean and median bleeding scores were 5.2 and 4, respectively, and were significantly higher than reported bleeding scores in pediatric controls, defined as those without bleeding symptoms or a previously diagnosed bleeding disorder (P < 0.001). Although 75% of patients (95% confidence interval 64-84) had an abnormal bleeding score, only 12.3% were previously assessed by hematology for bleeding symptoms. Among patients with GJH, higher Beighton scores were not associated with higher bleeding scores (Spearman's correlation -0.08).

CONCLUSION

In a cohort of pediatric patients with GJH, three-fourths of participants had abnormal bleeding scores, with the mean bleeding score significantly elevated compared to healthy controls. We propose that screening for bleeding symptoms be integrated into routine care for GJH patients, with referral to hematology for patients with bleeding concerns.

Advances in the diagnosis of heritable platelet disorders

The last decade has seen large increases in the number of patients registered with heritable platelet disorders in national databases of bleeding disorders. Although individually rare, collectively they are a relatively common cause of heritable bleeding. This revolution has come about through the application of high-throughput sequencing strategies and efforts to standardize diagnostic testing. There is renewed interest in established parameters such as platelet volume and utilising simple tools such as blood smears. The diagnostic yield from peripheral blood smears can be improved with new microscopy techniques that could potentially assist in determining which patients need to be referred to tertiary centres for specialist testing. A better understanding of the other clinical features that can accompany abnormalities of platelet number or function, can lead to better clinical management and prevention of serious complications. There are challenges for clinicians who need to be aware of these developments, understand the limitations of new diagnostic techniques and keep abreast of strategies for incorporation into clinical practice. This review discusses some of these approaches, the limitations that clinicians need to be aware of and techniques that may enter clinical use in the future.