Bleeding and thrombosis are not infrequent problems in children receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The exact frequency varies with age, co-morbidity and treatment schedule, but the risk is highest in the first few weeks of treatment when disease and treatment-related haemostatic abnormalities prevail. Recommendations for prevention and management are lacking due to a weak evidence base, resulting in considerable variation in practice. This article describes our personal practice in this area with reference to the available literature on the subject.
© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.