The prevalence of coagulation abnormalities in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

To determine the prevalence of coagulopathy in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, results of repeated coagulation studies obtained on 73 patients over one year were correlated with disease activity, liver function abnormalities and drug therapy. In spite of active and severe disease in the majority of these children, coagulation abnormalities developed in only 2 cases and there was no instance of clinically apparent bleeding. Although these results suggest that the development of coagulopathy is uncommon, the physician must continue to exercise vigilance for this potentially life threatening complication, especially when caring for the child with systemic disease receiving combinations of drug therapy.