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Thromb Haemost 2003; 89(03): 475-479
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1613376
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis
Schattauer GmbH

Age at first treatment and immune tolerance to factor VIII in severe hemophilia

Johanna G. van der Bom
1   Van Creveldkliniek, University Medical Center Utrecht
2   Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht
,
Eveline P. Mauser-Bunschoten
1   Van Creveldkliniek, University Medical Center Utrecht
,
Kathelijn Fischer
1   Van Creveldkliniek, University Medical Center Utrecht
3   Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
,
Marijke H. van den Berg
1   Van Creveldkliniek, University Medical Center Utrecht
3   Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 12 November 2002

Accepted after revision 30 December 2002

Publication Date:
09 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Findings from a recent study suggest that earlier start of treatment with factor VIII in patients with severe hemophilia is associated with a higher risk to develop inhibitors.

We set out to assess the association between age of first administration of clotting factor VIII and the risk to develop inhibitors in infants with severe hemophilia A.

This work was a cohort study, carried out in the national hemophilia treatment center. The study included eighty-one consecutive patients with severe hemophilia A who received their first dose of factor VIII between 1975 and 1998. Patients were followed until their last visit in 2001 or 2002.

The average follow-up was 16 years (range 3-26). Persistent inhibitory antibodies developed in 12 of 81 patients (15%).

Cumulative incidence at 100 exposure days was 34% (95% confidence interval 7-61%) in patients starting therapy before the age of 6 months, 20% (4-36%) in patients starting therapy between 6 months and 1 year, 13% (0-27%) in those starting therapy between 1 and 1.5 years, and 0% in those who started therapy beyond 1.5 years of age (p for trend 0.03).

Our findings confirm that age of first factor VIII administration in children with severe hemophilia A is inversely associated with the risk to develop antibodies against factor VIII. The role of confounding factors such as the type of factor VIII mutation and environmental factors needs to be evaluated.

Keywords

Inhibitors - risk factors - age - cohort - immune tolerance
 

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