SummarySporadic essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is rare in paediatrics, and the diagnostic and clinical approach to paediatric cases cannot be simply copied from experience with adults. Here, we assessed 89 children with a clinical diagnosis of ET and found that 23 patients (25Á8%) had a clonal disease. The JAK2 V617F mutation was identified in 14 children, 1 child had the MPL W515L mutation, and 6 had CALR mutations. The monoclonal X-chromosome inactivation pattern was seen in six patients (two with JAK2 V617F and two with CALR mutations). The other 66 patients (74Á2%) had persistent thrombocytosis with no clonality. There were no clinical or haematological differences between the clonal and non-clonal patients. The relative proportion of ET-specific mutations in the clonal children was much the same as in adults. The higher prevalence of nonclonal cases suggests that some patients may not have myeloproliferative neoplasms, with significant implications for their treatment.

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Introduction We have evaluated Antithrombin (AT) values and Whole Blood Rotation Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) profiles in children affected by acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), followed at the Clinic of Pediatric Hematology Oncology of Padua. L-Asparaginase, used in protocols for pediatric ALL, is an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Typical collateral effects are coagulation disturbances. Guidelines for identification of patients at risk of thrombosis and hemorrhages are not yet established. AT levels are the only reliable parameter for thrombotic risk. Very low levels of fibrinogen are not correctly detected by classical Clauss method; ROTEM test using FIBTEM is considered a valid tool to identify hypofibrinogenemia and hemorrhagic risk in surgical patients. The aim of the study was to analyze coagulation patterns during treatment with Pegilated L-Asparaginase (Peg-Asp). Methods Forty-two children (25 males, 17 females; 31 pB-ALL; 11 T-ALL; 23 at standard/medium risk; 19 at high risk) were consecutively diagnosed and treated with AIEOP BFM ALL 2009 protocol from June 2012 to March 2014. They received 3 (standard/medium risk) or 8 (high risk) doses of Peg-Asp (2500UI/mq/dose). ROTEM and AT determinations were performed at 5 fixed time-points before and after each Peg-Asp administration. Prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen plasma levels and platelets counts were recorded. Maximum Clot Firmness (MCF; normal value 9-25 mm), measuring the maximum amplitude reached in FIBTEM thromboelastogram, assessed the specific role of fibrinogen in the whole blood clot formation following platelets inhibition by Cytocalasin D. Results: 798 AT and 706 FIBTEM tests were performed; details are reported in Table. We divided abnormal MCF in 3 grade levels. Only values of MCF >9 mm had a linear correlation with fibrinogen levels. Plasma fibrinogen values <1 g/l were seen only in 45/286 (15%) cases with low MCF, without the possibility to discriminate the 3 MCF groups. Hemorrhagic risk was not suggested by PT, which was highly prolonged only in 5 cases (MCF 4-8 mm). Supplementation with AT or fibrinogen concentrates was suggested for patients with AT <50% or MCF <2 and decided on clinical basis. Twenty six children had a complete set of tests available during Induction phase (2 doses of Peg-Asp). They showed two different patterns of AT and MCF behavior. In 13 patients, mean AT levels decreased until 12-14 days after Peg-Asp, never being <50% and increased thereafter. The other thirteen patients had low AT levels from day 12 after Peg-Asp, required supplementation even before the second dose of Peg-Asp and did not show recovery until the forth week after treatment (figure 1). In 11 patients , MCF were never <9mm , without any trend to reduction. In 15 patients, who had at least 2 tests of MCF <9mm, mean MCF decreased regularly from first Peg-Asp dose until day 21, showing a trend to recovery at day 28 (figure 2). One child had a cerebral sinus thrombosis at the end of induction; one child had extensive thrombosis, strongly related to the central line used for dialysis. Thromboses were not related to fibrinogen concentrates administration or low AT levels. No bleedings were observed. Conclusions: Extensive analysis of coagulation parameters in children undergoing chemotherapy for ALL containing PEG Asp showed abnormalities of AT in 88% of patients and of MCF in 30%. These tests identified patients with significant abnormalities more closely than classical methods. Careful use of AT dosage and FIBTEM can help in managing coagulation disturbances, by identifying patients at risk and suggesting prevention measures. Table: AT and FIBTEM analysis in ALL patients Total N. pts / total N. tests AT 42/798 MCF 42/706 Pts with pathological tests AT<50% 37 (88%) MCF<9mm 13 (30%) N. of Pathological tests AT<50% 158 (19%) MCF<9 mm 286 (40%) MCF 5-9 mm 212 (30.5%) MCF 3-4 mm 56 (7%) MCF <2 mm 18 (2.5%) Supplementation with AT or FC AT<50% 58 units in 24 pts MCF<2 mm 18 units in 11 pts Figure 1: Mean AT levels in ALL patients during induction (according to AT supplementation) Figure 1:. Mean AT levels in ALL patients during induction (according to AT supplementation) Figure 2: Mean MCF levels in ALL patients during induction (MCF>9 and MCF <9mm) Figure 2:. Mean MCF levels in ALL patients during induction (MCF>9 and MCF <9mm) Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Fusarium species are ubiquitous pathogens causing opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Clinical presentation depends on a host’s immunity and can be localized or disseminated. Since there are few reports of disseminated fusariosis in children, we described an unusual case of Fusarium solani infection in a 9-year-old child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This patient presented a deep wound in the elbow at diagnosis. During the induction phase of chemotherapy, he developed multiple skin lesions and severe pneumonia; Fusarium solani was cultured from the skin lesions. He was treated with a high dose of liposomal amphotericin B, followed by voriconazole. Starting from this peculiar case, we collected all patients with acute leukemia affected by Fusarium infection, treated in the pediatric Onco-Hematology Division of Padua University Hospital during the last 20 years. We identified another six cases: all these patients were affected by acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and five of them presented a relapsed/refractory disease. Two out of seven patients died because of infection; five patients recovered from infection, but three out of seven died because of leukemia. Skin lesions in immunocompromised patients should rise the suspicion of disseminated fusariosis. Furthermore, considering the emergence of filamentous fungi in immunocompromised patients, we all should be aware of Fusarium infection, reminding us that the diagnosis is important to cure the infection.

The relationship between myocardial iron load and eccentric myocardial remodeling remains an under-investigated area; it was thought that remodeling is rather linked to fibrosis. This study aims to determine whether or not measures of remodeling can be used as predictors of myocardial iron. For this purpose, 60 patients with thalassemia were studied with 3D echocardiography and myocardial relaxometry (T2*) by Cardiac MRI. 3D derived sphericity index was significantly higher in patients with myocardial iron load. It was correlated with T2* with a 100% sensitivity and specificity (cut-off value of 0.34) to discriminate between patients with and without myocardial iron overload.